HUNDREDS of people watched Christmas lights being turned on in Chepstow on Saturday.

Blue and white lights along with stars are now above the roads and pavements in Moor Street, High Street, Beaufort Square and St Mary Street. A Christmas tree with red, green and white lights is also in Beaufort Square.

Father Christmas visited the town shortly after the lights were turned on in the town by representatives fromChepstow's Mencap group at about 5.45pm. He was ferried into Beaufort Square on the back of a horse-drawn carriage. Town council staff and one councillor, Cllr Jane Robbins, acted as his reindeers by dressing in reindeer onesies.

The town council’s clerk Sandra Bushell said: “They were the best reindeer we’ve had in Chepstow to date. But no one tried to give us any carrots.”

To celebrate the lights being turned on, markets were held from 10am until 2pm in Cormeilles Square and along High Street, which was closed for traffic for the day. Ms Bushell said the markets were “buzzing” throughout the day.

Afterwards, a number of choirs and bands played on a bandstand set up in Beaufort Square. A choir from St Johns-on-the-Hill School started proceedings at 2.30pm, followed by Chepstow Ukelele Band. Other performers included Wyedean Gospel Choir, Chepstow Comprehensive School’s Big Band, Chepstow Musical Youth Theatre, Chepstow Amateur Dramatic Society and Chepstow Town Band.