MORE than 200 people attended Crediton Town Band’s first community carol singing event "Carols around the Christmas Tree" on the Town Square.

On a night that promised very heavy rain it was pleasing to note that it stayed dry for the event.

Members of the band were very pleased to note the number of families in attendance including a large number of children making it truly a community event.

Compered by Crediton Rector, the Rev Preb Nigel Guthrie the event helped to celebrate Christmas and promote a festive spirit within the community.

A number of local choirs were present to swell the ranks of the singing public.

It was the band’s intention to create an annual community carol singing event as other towns in Devon have been doing for some time.

The Crediton Town Band have now written "Carols around the Christmas Tree" into their Christmas programme of events and are now beginning to plan the 2017 event.

A spokesperson for the band said: "We realise that one or two changes need to be made in time for the 2017 event.

"We would like to thank the generosity of the Crediton public for a collection of £600, taken on the night, which is to be equally shared between the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and the Children’s Hospice South West.

"We are also grateful for the help given by a number of people who helped to make the night an overwhelming success."

The Crediton Town Band now looks forward to the "Carols around the Christmas Tree" 2017 event with great anticipation.