HUNDREDS of Christmas shoppers thronged Minehead town centre on Friday night to see HTV newsreader Peter Rowell switch on the festive lights.

The ceremony was a highlight of the town's late-night Christmas Festival Evening that has been hailed a great success by the organisers.

Father Christmas met nearly 200 children in his grotto in the Warehouse shop, which he reached in a procession from the railway station.

Peter joined the procession with his son, Greg, and said how much they both enjoyed the experience and that they hoped to return to Minehead in the summer.

Town council vice-chairman Cllr Meigan Lyons accompanied Peter around the shops to chat to people before the lights were switched on.

Then the evening got well under way with a wide range of attractions laid on to add extra sparkle to the festival.

Carol singers, line dancers and majorettes performed in Wellington Square and The Parade and a mini big-wheel and swing boats were set up in Bancks Street to keep children happy.

Meanwhile, parents visited the shops that had stayed open for the evening, and there were some 20 charity stalls with competitions, goods for sale and hot food and drinks.

The festival was organised by the town council and Minehead Gala Committee, on behalf of whom Cllr Ron Wright thanked everyone who took part or supported the evening.

He said: "Despite the weather not being as good as we hoped for, everything went very well and there was a really festive atmosphere in the town centre.

"We are already planning for next year when we hope to make the event even better."

Pictured with Peter are Minehead carnival queen Jade Doel on the right with her princesses Isabella Messarra, in front, and Georgina Griffiths.