HUNDREDS of people and bags of seasonal goodwill sent of glow of festive cheer around the town for Candlelit Dartmouth.

Crowds packed into town for a weekend of Christmas markets, Santa's Boat­float arrival and a candlelit street procession.

Spokesman Suzanne Huddart said: 'We had a record number of people, with the park and ride two-thirds full, and stallholders reporting good takings.

'We made a big effort for Santa's arrival with his two elves this year, with a decorated boat and fairy lights.

'And there were over 200 entries in the lantern procession with a variety of creative shapes and sizes.'

The festive fun began on Friday when the Christmas market came to light in Royal Avenue Gardens with mince pies, mulled wine and music, alongside a host of stalls selling Christmas gifts and seasonal fare.

Later on there were carols around the Christmas tree, followed by the official switch on of the town's Christmas lights, plus Santa's waterborne arrival at the Boatfloat.

The festive weekend continued on Saturday with a season artisan market in the Old Market Square and more stalls and street entertainment.

Seasonal workshops were also held at the Flavel where adults and children could make Christmas decorations, wreaths, cards and ornaments or visit Santa in his grotto.

There was also a 'best festive-dressed' dog show.

At 5.30pm, a candlelit lantern procession set off from the Old Market Square when hundreds of willow and tissue creations made by local school children made a magical parade through Dartmouth's historic streets.

Churches were among those taking part for the first time, with a nativity tableau marking the Christmas story.

The illuminated procession finished at Royal Avenue Gardens where revellers joined in the party finale with live music from the bandstand.

Suzanne said one visitor had summed up the success of the event with a glass of mulled wine, saying it was 'the first real taste of Christmas'.