Christmas parade wows Oswestry crowds

Around 30 floats wound their way through the streets of the town on Saturday morning with the crowds treated to displays ranging from Harry Potter and Star Wars, to winter wonderlands and line dancers

People of all ages lined the town's pavements and scooped up sweets and treats thrown from the floats.

The event was organised by Borderland Rotary Club and the group's president, Sherie Soper, hailed the efforts of those who put together spectacular floats for the parade.

She said: "It is fantastic. The children have spent hours with their costumes, practising dances, there is a wonderful Oswestry community spirit about the whole event."

The Chloe Elizabeth Dance Company was one of the floats to claim a top prize with the 'winter wonderland' themed effort being rewarded with the accolade of 'best non-commercial float'.

Chloe Yeomans, who runs the dance company and organised the float, said they were thrilled to have been awarded the prize.

Around 30 youngsters were on board the float, which was provided by BJ Clarke of Overton.

Securing the prize was an even greater achievement given that the parents and children only started work the night before.

Chloe said: "Last night we all came and packed up, we all had our jobs and we worked flat out until it was done. The children made the signs and they look fantastic.

"If it was not for everyone we would not have been able to do it so it is really about the community spirit.

"I am so proud of what they have managed to do."

Harry Potter was the theme for the float from Hair and Makeup by Shelley, and the woman behind the spectacular effort said she was delighted with the end result.

Shelley Ramsay said: "I started in May and this is my final year doing a float, I have been doing it for six years now. Harry Potter is my all-time favourite movie so I thought it would be good to go out with a bang!"

Shelley, who was dressed as Voldemort and was accompanied by a full cast of Harry Potter themed companions, including a team of wand-waving mini wizards, said she was thrilled with the final result.

She said: "I am so chuffed with it, I just hope the people of Oswestry like it as well!"

The parade also featured floats from Ellesmere Line Dancers, The New Saints and Oswestry Town Football Club, Oswestry Boys and Girls Football Club, 1st Gobowen Scout Group, Border Counties School of Gymnastics, Oswestry District Girl Guiding, North Shropshire College, Oswestry Scout Group, Team Elite Mixed Martial Arts, and the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries.