Pictures: Festive season gets underway in Oswestry

Christmas Live, run by the town council, featured a host of festive entertainment – including an ice rink, live music and a variety of festive stalls.

Father Christmas even made an appearance at last night's event, meeting children in his grotto.

Events were centred around the Bailey Head and Festival Square, with the music stage set up in front of the market hall where local bands played throughout the evening. Oswestry's mayor, Councillor Peter Cherrington, said it had been a resounding success with people of all ages coming out to enjoy the entertainment.

He said: "It is amazing, we have had thousands of people here. The street has been packed from one side to the other. It took me nearly half an hour to walk from Guildhall to Festival Square.

"It is fantastic to see so many people out and enjoying themselves. You've got something for all ages. We have got children who are two or three, children on the ice from the age of five up to 63 and everything in-between."

Not one to miss out, Councillor Cherrington said he had joined in the skating fun. He said: "I have given it a go. People were offering me £1 to go on, then £2, then £4 if I fell over."

Councillor Cherrington also praised all those involved in setting up the evening, with a huge logistical effort required to put things in place only two hours before the event started.

He said: "The roads were only closed from 3pm and then everything has to be ready for 5.30pm so that we can start at 6pm. It is then on to 9pm before we have to get everything down ready to open up the roads again.

"It is a big logistical operation and I am proud of everyone's efforts to make sure it has been a success.

"It has been a great evening, everyone is laughing and smiling, we are really pleased."