Nothing could stop Dartmouth's Candlelit Christmas fun becoming a lantern light success – not the rain that clobbered the carols and not the tide which almost saw Santa grounded in the Boat Float.

But the same might not be true next year as a lack of new volunteer organisers continues to put the future of the massively popular event in doubt.

Between 5,000 and 10,000 people are believed to have swelled the town's population for the two-day Christmas festival which included a huge lantern procession, late night shopping, Santa's problematical riverborne visit, street entertainers, stalls across the town centre, a Christmas lights switch on and even a festive fancy dress dog show.

Dartmouth businesswoman Sarah Duggan – one of the three founder members of the annual event – said: 'It was a great success.

'I think the town was packed and the accommodation seemed to be full. We think that between 5,000 and 10,000- were there on Saturday afternoon. The atmosphere was just lovely and a lot of people commented on that. Lots of people travelled a long way to get there.

'There was a lovely community feel to the event. Gift businesses in the town have all reported really good trade and one business said it was the best day that they have had since they opened.'

But she warned that despite its success the future of the whole show was at risk as the three core organisers have made it clear they want to step back from the event in future years.

She said that so far one person had volunteered on Saturday night to join the committee but its needs more to guarantee it goes ahead again next year.

'People are saying that it gets better every year. People have fallen in love with it as an event and it brings so many people into the town.

'The current committee may be prepared to stay but to take much smaller roles for next year if other people come forward to take on some responsibilities. We desperately need people to come in and put their time where their mouth is.'

The town – along with the Royal Avenue Christmas tree – was lit up on Friday night as Mayor Paul Allen and harbourmaster Rob Giles jointly switched on the town lights.

Local youngsters should have been singing around the Christmas tree but the rain meant they had to take cover in the bandstand instead.

Sarah said: 'It did pour with rain but I was amazed at how many people were there.

'We had to move them to the bandstand but everyone still crowded around despite the weather.

Santa – with his guard of BRNC cadets – was due to sail into the Boat Float to land before handing out sweets to the children.

Unfortunately a slight miscalculation on the falling tides meant that the boat he came in on could not reach the steps and Santa – who looked remarkably like Dartmouth hotelier Nigel Way – could not get out.

An attempt to get up the slipway failed after it proved too slippery for Santa so eventually he had to sail back out into the river and land on the nearby pontoon.

'We knew it as going to be close. He had been coming in on a launch but we had to change that to a dory and we thought that would be all right,' said Sarah. 'In the end he appeared at the bandstand and gave out lots of sweets to the children.'

On the Saturday, the children's fancy dress competition had to be cancelled because of a lack of entries but the Christmas fancy dress dog show went ahead as planned – even if many of the canine contestants suddenly became slightly over active after a Samba Band nearby suddenly struck up.

The highlight of the festival – the Saturday night lantern procession which toured the town – was 'absolutely brilliant,' added Sarah.