Santas take to streets in Shropshire Christmas celebrations

Hundreds of people took to the streets for festive celebrations across the county over the weekend.

Roads in Oswestry town centre were closed on Saturday as Father Christmas and dozens of revellers in fancy dress paraded through the streets for a weekend of fun, entertainment and festive shopping.

More than 40 fancy dress floats took place in this year's parade, which was organised by the Borderland Rotary Club.

• See more pictures of Shropshire festive fun this weekend in our gallery

Jonathan Jones, event chairman, said the Christmas parade had been a huge success, and groups involved included brownies, various churches and football teams. This year's grotto was held in Peter Vidal's Willow Gallery in Willow Street.

Mr Jones said: "I would like to thank everyone involved for their ongoing support and we look forward to another successful and fruitful parade again next year."

On Sunday just under 300 people took part in Hope House Children's Hospice sixth Santa run in the town.

The event kicked off at Festival Square from 5pm with men, women and children of all ages donning Father Christmas suits and beards for the event which is hoped to have raised more than £10,000 for the charity.

This was only the second year the event was held in the dark and despite the cold weather it was said to be a success. Vanessa Thomas, charity fundraising manager, said: "It was a lovely spectacle. We want to say really big thank you to everyone that took part."

This year's Christmas lights switch on in Wellington attracted 3,000 people on Saturday. The lights were switched was flicked by Wellington mayor Councillor Lesley Street, to cheers from the crowd.

Festivities in the town began at midday with the arrival of 200% Sounds International, who performed for the rest of the day with classic and modern Christmas music. A dramatic firework display from the town's All Saints Church completed the switch on ceremony.