Marlborough's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

A huge crowd filled the High Street last night for a Christmas market and the switch on of the Christmas lights by the Mayor, Cllr Mark Cooper.

Hundreds of families turned out for festive stalls selling roasted chestnuts, gluhwein, candy floss, balloons and all of the wares of the season as the Snow Queen and her elf and gift-wrapped roller skaters brought sparkle to the event and the Blue Belles singers and children from the Marlborough Academy of Dance and Drama sang carols and Christmas hits.

The town crier, Mike Tupman, acted as MC for the occasion as Santa arrived with his little helper the mayor, pulled through the crowd not by reindeer but by the Marlborough Lions Club.

Assisted by the cheerful throng on the traditional countdown to the switch-on, the mayor pressed the plunger and lo, there was light.