THE children sang carols and Santa arrived to do the honours as Christmas came to Porlock for its special late night shopping event last Saturday (December 19).

“We were very fortunate that the weather held off. It was a great night with an excellent atmosphere, everything a traditional Christmas village event should be,” said Keith Green, one of the organisers.

“Our thanks go to everyone who supported us, from the traders to the shoppers.”

The children of St Dubricius C of E First School started things off with carols at the church, and Santa arrived courtesy of Minehead and District Lions Club - and was kept extremely busy.

Illuminated stilt walkers Jack Frost and the Snow Queen added their own brand of magic, while music was provided by West Somerset Brass Band as well as The Bad Ole Boys and Bill’s Eels at The Oily, the village’s classic car museum.

Scores of shoppers, both visitors and regulars, enjoyed the chance to buy Christmas presents and have a drink and mince pies in the shops, as well as visit the pubs and restaurants.

The festive spirit was further added to by a snow machine on the roof of Porlock Hardware which brought a fun blizzard to one end of the high street.

The Visitor Centre was open, and Dovery Manor Museum which is normally closed over winter, opened up for the special night.

Photo: Maureen Harvey - more photos in the Free Press