A record crowd of more than 20,000 people turned out to enjoy the festive cheer which ended with town’s Christmas lights going on.

Dave Donaldson, chair of the organising committee, said: “We are absolutely delighted. It was outstanding.” He said that part of this year’s success was down to the weather which is always risky with a winter event. “The parade’s theme was The Magic of the Movies so I dressed up as Albus Dumbledore. The crowd was enormous, it was wonderful,” he said.

Alongside the parade were more than 100 stalls for charities and businesses. The event was centred around the town hall with the surrounding roads pedestrianised for the occasion.

A host of entertainers kept the crowds entertained until town mayor, Martin Bishop, with the help of mini-mayor Joe Southan, turned the town’s Christmas lights at the end of the event.