Donkey treat at Wem Christmas lights switch-on

Hannah the donkey helped bring the Christmas story to life as hundreds of people turned out for a Shropshire town's festive lights switch-on.

The animal took centre stage as she joined a cast of Wem residents for a nativity procession and play in the town centre last night.

The Wem Christmas Festival transformed the town into a winter wonderland, set against the backdrop of a dazzling £10,000 lights display.

Mayor of Wem, Councillor Mandy Meakin, said the event was a big success, but she admitted numbers were probably slightly down on last year because of the severe cold.

She said: "The town was looking very sparkly and frosty and it was quite cold and crisp but there was still a strong turnout.

"As the nativity procession came up the High Street it looked very beautiful.

"The play afterwards really was lovely and I crowned our Snow Queen before switching on the lights."

She added: "It was a really good atmosphere and everybody seemed bright, cheerful and Christmassy. Santa came to the town hall and was very popular with the children visiting his grotto."

Churches Together in Wem co-ordinated the nativity procession and play, which was held on the church green.

Other highlights included performances by Wem Jubilee Band, school and church choirs plus the Adjazz jazz band.