HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Calne on Saturday to bask in the Christmas festivities, and watch the annual switching on of the lights and lantern parade.

Doing the honours of turning on the Christmas lights this year were residents of Kingston House care home Herbert Haine, Annie Strange and Richard Paget, and staff members Debbie Knight and Jodie Coathupe.

Activity Coordinator at Kingston House Ms Knight, said: "It was really good and I was really proud of them because Calne has become a real dementia friendly town and to have them turning on the Christmas lights rather than some celebrity is brilliant.

"We felt like royalty, that's what Herbert said."

Residents were spoilt with the amount of entertainment on offer as it was an all day affair.

There were food and crafts stalls and fairground rides, as well as the chance to meet a reindeer and donkeys, and the Calne Silver Band played some Christmas favourites.

Evening entertainment included the Lyneham Military Wives Choir and Xpression StreetDance.

Hundreds of families and children followed Mary and Joseph on Donkeys through the town for the lantern parade, closely followed by Father Christmas in his sleigh.

Mayor Cllr Tony Trotman thanked everyone who has worked hard on putting the event together.

He said: "The amount of people that come to support it is amazing. I want to say congratulations to all the schools and community groups that built the lanterns.

"The highlight for me was the community coming together and seeing all the people there. It was good as mayor that I was able to support Kingston House in switching the lights on.

"Looking out at the crowds there was so many people, you don't realise, but when you are on the stage and see what is going on it took my breath away, it was brilliant."