FATHER Christmas on his sleigh, carol singing and a nativity play were all part of the celebrations as Wilton switched on its Christmas lights on Monday.

The Wilton Christian Fellowship of churches put on the play in the old St Mary’s churchyard, while Wilton Rotary Club provide warming mulled wine and Sarum Morris performed a well-received traditional Mummers’ Play and carols were sung at the Greyhound pub.

Salisbury Lions Club gave Father Christmas a lift into town to hand out gifts to the waiting children.

And lights went on around the town, with the centrepiece the tallest living Christmas tree in Europe.

Organiser Gary Nunn said: “It was a really good evening and a really good turnout, more than we have had in previous years.”

Mr Nunn said that the town hopes to make the celebrations even bigger and better next year, with discussions underway with regard to having a Christmas market.