Eastwood town councillor Brian Griffin said there were more rides, more lanterns and more importantly more people there than ever before.

He said: "It was an absolutely fantastic evening. There were more people there than ever. We had rides that hadn't been there before and the lanterns stretched from the library all the way down the road which looked excellent.

"The weather looked as if it would play a nasty card but it kept fine. The only set back we had was the high winds which meant the Beatles tribute band couldn't perform."

As well as Santa, the magical Iceman made a guest appearance and did tricks with his crystal balls outside the craft workshops on Scargill walk.

The big switch-on event kicked off outside the library on Nottingham Road with the Musketeers Show Band performing all of the popular Christmas classics.

Children and parents then grouped together for the tenth annual lantern parade along Nottingham Road to The Hollies where the lights were switched on at 7pm. The 70 lanterns were made in workshops at Plumptre Hall, Priory Catholic School and Eastwood Comprehensive School.

There were stalls selling different Christmas gifts, a fairy grotto at the DH Lawrence birthplace museum and Mother Christmas was at the Library Accoustic bar with a sack of festive stories. Local groups and organisations including the Scouts were there, and there was obviously hot chesnuts up for grabs.

Fairground rides and other attractions were on the Iceland and Alexandra Street Car Parks and a free Santa Express train picked passengers up outside the library.

Cllr Griffin said: "The evening brought together the community and it goes to show how good these sorts of events are for that. The whole spirit of it was great, and I thought the whole evening was excellent."

It is estimated about 8,000 people turn up each year.

The event, sponsored by Ikea, was organised by Broxtowe Borough Council and the Eastwood Steering Group which is made up of local councillors, venues, community organisations and members of the public.

If you would like to get involved in the planning and evaluation of this annual event in the future contact Broxtowe Borough Council on 0115 917 3695.