THE choirs sang, there were donkey rides round the tree, a bouncy castle and Punch and Judy – and Christmas officially came to Minehead on Saturday when it got dark and the crowd counted down for the Christmas lights switch-on.

The strong winds caused some anxious moments and a few activities, such as a jazz band in a marquee, had to be cancelled.

But the Dunkirk spirit prevailed as the high winds made it impossible to close the Avenue to traffic and put up the charity stalls, so they found refuge in the Lloyds Bar at the Wellington Hotel thanks to the manager there.

A sign directing shoppers to the new venue was hurriedly put up in Wellington Square, and Mayor Jean Parbrook thanked the hotel for their prompt assistance.

Father Christmas kept his beard on as he stayed all afternoon, chatting to children and distributing sweets along with Cllr Parbrook.

There was music in plenty as Minehead First School choir sang Christmas songs and modern carols, more carols from West Somerset Advice Centre, and guitar music and street entertainment.

Rides of all kinds were also on hand with Exmoor donkeys around the Christmas tree, Butlins’ land train doing trips, and also a special steam car.

“It was very successful, everyone enjoyed themselves enormously in spite of it blowing a gale,” said Cllr Parbrook.

* There will be more festive in Minehead tomorrow night (Friday, December 11) with the Minehead Community Christmas Extravaganza, which gets underway at 6pm.

As well as late night shopping, attractions include a Christmas parade through the town centre, Santa and his reindeer, music, carols, rides and stalls.

Photos: Paul Scullion