HUNDREDS of people gathered in Ilminster's narrow streets to witness the annual Victorian Night Christmas lights extravaganza on Friday night.

Malcolm Young, one of the founders of the Victorian Night event, pressed the plunger along with fancy dress competition winner Amy Childs, who was Mary, Mary Quite Contrary.

Crowds gathered in Market Square to countdown to the switch-on, and the hard-working lights committee was rewarded with appreciative gasps as the illuminations lit up.

The stores were full of shoppers who enjoyed many a glass of complimentary mulled wine and the odd mince pie as they snapped up some early Christmas presents.

In the streets, there was entertainment from the Young Cerdics band, as well as the Salvation Army Brass Band.

South Somerset folk band Airs and Graces were also playing for visitors in the Meeting House.

Father Christmas was paraded into town with a colourful festive display from the Ilminster Dazzling Sapphire Majorettes and carnival princess Emma Banbury was also meeting and greeting.

There were some fine creations in the nursery-rhyme themed fancy dress competition with children bravely climbing onto the town centre platform to receive their prizes - not the easiest of tasks for the two youngsters wearing full grandfather clocks as Hickory Dickory Dock!

Christmas Lights Committee chairman Mike Bonner said: "It was jolly good and I'd like to thank the people of Ilminster for giving their money and for turning out on the night.

"I felt it was a bit better than last year as it wasn't quite so crowded so people were able to wander around.

"Amy Childs' face was a picture when she switched on the lights - I don't think she could believe she had done it!"

Mr Bonner thanked Glenn McQueen and Paul Huish for their painstaking work undoing the electrical mistakes he and John Pallister had made when wiring up the trees!

He also thanked Brian Edwards for his help, as well as Ron McQueen and Clinton Bonner for raising over £500 from collecting tins on their shop counters.

o COTTAGE Flowers in Ilminster held a raffle on Victorian Night to raise funds for Muchelney House care home. Winner of the prize Christmas hamper was Marion Swan and the raffle raised £150 for the cause.

o THE News was out and about on the big night - Click here for a special photo gallery from the big night

COMPETITION RESULTS. There was a nursery rhyme theme for the window dressing and fancy dress competitions. Windows: 1 Infinity Hair; 2 Cornhill Wines; 3 John Rendell Florist and Greengrocer. Commended: Ashcombe Developments; The Little Kitchen Shop; Minster Pharmacy. Fancy Dress: 1 Amy Childs (Mary, Mary Quite Contrary); 2 Grace Truong (Little Bo-Peep); 3 Matthew Hays (Pat-a-Cake Baker's Man). Commended: Georgina Western (Hickory Dickory Dock); Jack Smith (Hickory Dickory Dock); Jack Forster (Jack be Nimble, Jack be Quick); Ashleigh Smith (Lavender's Blue); Jenelle Smith (Soldier, Soldier Don't You Marry Me).