HUNDREDS of people were in Caerleon on Saturday for special events put on to celebrate Christmas.

At its Roman Legion Museum children and adults alike could take part in a themed murder mystery event and sample food dating back to the age of Julius Caesar.

The celebrations formed part of the museum’s celebrations for Saturnalia, a festival held for Saturn.

After snacking, people could watch a recreated gladiatorial battle in the museum’s gardens, arranged by events officer Victoria Le Poidevin.

A produce market was also held at Caerleon Town Hall.

Loraine Lutman, who coordinated the market, said she was pleased with the way things had gone.

She said: “It is the most we have had – we have 15 stalls. We had 11 last Christmas and 12 in the summer.

“We had a count up and we had 560 through the door in the summer and we are hoping it will be about the same.

“It is going really well and there’s always a lot of positive feedback on social media afterwards.”

Young Newport musicians from the Simply Strings group provided music while shoppers browsed stalls.

Later, there was a choir singing and a visit from Father Christmas, who had been invited by the event’s organisers at the Caerleon Tourism Forum.

Celebrations in the village will continue in January, when Chepstow Widders and Mummers celebrate Hen Galan, or Welsh New Year, in the Bell Inn and Hanbury Arms pubs on Saturday, January 10. The events are being organised by the Caerleon Arts Festival.