FESTIVITIES began in earnest at Kirkby Lonsdale's Christmas fair over the weekend, which saw people attending from all over the country.

This year's event saw the fair bounce back from severe flood damage last year, with its largest variety of attractions yet.

Visitors were treated to a larger chalet village in the town centre showcasing gift traders, Santa's grotto with real reindeer, a selection of food and drinks offerings and a new indoor craft market in the Lunesdale Hall.

The weekend also featured the traditional festive parade, the official switch-on of the lights and a wide variety of street entertainment and music.

Sarah Ross, Kirkby Lonsdale tourism and town manager, said: "It was absolutely superb. It was huge this year, it was very busy.

"The chalet market was full and over the weekend we had around 250 children visiting the Santa's grotto with the reindeer. They had a really good time.

"After last year it was so refreshing, it was brilliant. People came from quite far. We have been shortlisted for Great British high street, and we have had a lot of publicity because of that. We had quite a lot of people visiting the town for the first time.

"We had coaches from as far as Cheshire and London."

Sunday saw the popular Santa cycle event, with a walking tour also available for guests who preferred a slower pace.

Allan Muirhead, who sits on the town council, said: "We've been told it was one of the best events Kirkby has staged for a long time.

"Literally thousands of people came. We are delighted by the response from the public and the traders who supported it by taking the chalets.

"The feedback from people was that it was a quality event that reminded them of a Victorian fair in its heyday. "