According to town councillor Richard Sweeting visitors from not just Tadcaster but from all over the district arrived in their droves to make at start on their Christmas shopping and soak up the seasonal atmosphere.

"Despite the very wet weather hundreds of people still arrived from all over and it just goes to show that Tadcaster is more than capable of staging a great event that grows in popularity each year," he said.

"The festival is a community event and it brings everyone together," he added. "When Tadcaster gets together we are a strong community and everybody knows each or they are often related!"

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More than 40 stalls lined the streets of Kirkgate and Westgate on Sunday selling handmade jewellery, fabric boxes, scented bags, greeting cards, handmade wooden toys, pearl jewellery, vintage style jewellery, food, refreshments and much more.

There was small fun fair for the children, music from Minster FM and the York Railway Institute Golden Rail Band and Tadcaster's Riley Smith Hall was stuffed full of gift and craft stalls.

Father Christmas gave out Christmas presents from his grotto helped by his Christmas fairy and the Christmas Tree Festival at Tadcaster Methodist Church proved popular, with the trees being sponsored by various businesses around the town and dressed appropriately.

Many of the town's tea rooms, restaurants and refreshment areas were open while memories of childhood were rekindled when the combined Tadcaster school's children's choir - conducted by Ruth Tranter -sang outdoors in Kirkgate at 1.30pm.

Janet Ibbotson, assistant clerk at Tadcaster Town Council said: "The day was a success and the whole community got involved.

"The Cancer Research shop was open and at St Mary's recreated a magical Bethlehem stable where children were able to bring gifts for the Baby Jesus.

"The local guides and scouts all had fundraising stalls too and fortunately the weather stayed dry for the enthusiastic children from the combined choirs of Riverside, Tadcaster East and St Joseph's RC schools to sing several carols to an enthusiastic audience.

"The day ended with the Christingle Service in St Mary's Church and the illumination of the Christmas trees. Tadcaster Guides handed out the Christingles which were lit as part of the celebrations to welcome the arrival of Advent."

•Coun Sweeting would like to thank everyone involved in making this year's festival a success.

"Without everyone getting involved and showing their support we wouldn't have such a great Christmas event to be proud of," he said.