WATCHET residents were busy transforming their homes, businesses and even whole streets into twinkling winter wonderlands for the town's annual Christmas lights competition.

Organised by Watchet LIVE, the event was once again keenly contested throughout the town, giving the judges some tough decisions.

As well as brightly coloured lights, there were huge snowmen and reindeer, all helping to turn the town into a magical, multi-coloured wonderland.

The overall winner of the best dressed Christmas house competition was 22 Normandy Avenue, with 2 Wedlakes in second place and 18 Reed Close in third.

The best dressed street was named as Grove Close, while the best dressed Christmas shop was Hellikers Tea Rooms.

Father Christmas presented the prizes to the winners during his Christmas Eve tour of the town onboard his sleigh with this year's carnival queen Alice Chamberlain and her attendant Courtney Bland.

Watchet LIVE spokesman Jackie Bale said: "We would like to thank everyone who entered the Christmas lights competition and very much appreciate the immense time and effort put into making Watchet a very special place to be this Christmas.

"This year's judges were visiting from outside of West Somerset and they had a very difficult decision trying to decide the 2011 winners."

Meanwhile, fundraising for the next Watchet LIVE event is continuing, with the next event being Midland Mick's music quiz in the Star Inn, Watchet, from 7.30pm on Friday February 24.

Entry will be £10 for a team of four, payable in advance, with space available for a maximum 16 teams on a first come, first served basis.

Team places can be booked through Ross Nuttycombe at The Star on 01984 631367 or by phoning Mark and Jackie Bale on 01984 639616.

There will be a supper and raffle during the quiz night, while the winning team will win four adult weekend tickets for the Watchet LIVE music festival worth more than £160.

Photos: Steve Guscott