SANTA came to town to a chorus of Christmas songs in Ludgershall on Saturday night.

Children from Castle Primary school formed a choir outside the Memorial Hall as Santa arrived on a sleigh before making his way up to his grotto.

People gathered to see Castle Primary headmaster, Andy Bridewell, switch on the lights as the doors to the hall then opened for Christmas stalls and the opportunity to sit on Santa’s knee.

With music provided by Castledown Radio outside there was a bar, hog roast and small funfair for the children.

Selling cakes, reindeer food and a selection of handmade gifts and decorations were a number of Christmas stalls inside.

Stallholder, Crafty Old Bird, Sandra Lowe from Porton, near Salisbury, said: “This is my first time in Ludgershall, I can’t believe how many people are here. They have done a really good job of organising it and it was nice to see Santa.”

Running the tombola stall with wife Janet, chairman of the town council, Owen White, said: “The turnout is absolutely fantastic, there are a lot more people here than last year.

There was unanimous praise for the community and the town council’s events committee, Councillor Tony Pickernell, said: “It is just nice to have an event like this that brings the community together.

“Let’s hope it is even bigger and better next year.”

Rector of St James Church in Ludgershall, Reverend Claire Maxim, said: “It is really good to see a community turning out for this and it is a good way to start thinking about Christmas.”