THOUSANDS flocked to Alton for another bumper Yuletide Festival on Sunday.

Run by Alton Town Council, this year's event saw the length of the High Street packed with craft, charity, food and market stalls selling everything from exotic Christmas puddings to quirky glassware and from sheepskin slippers and hats to Christmas cards, imaginative gifts and festive knitwear.

It was a shoppers paradise, interspersed with an opportunity to try your hand at a wide variety of games and raffles, sample some good food and drink, or to enjoy the thrills and spills of the Wall's funfair.

The Assembly Rooms too was packed with charity stalls, with Christmas donkeys and alpacas grazing outside on the lawn behind the Cairn, and Father Christmas and his elves ensconced in a magical grotto, despatching festive cheer and gifts to queues of excited children.

There was street entertainment too featuring Alton Convent carol singers, the Kings Pond Shantymen, Alton Morris Dancers, Minden Rose Dancers, Salvation Army, Alton Rock Choir, Alton Concert Band and the Harvest Church.

For full story and more pictures, see this week's Alton Herald.