IT must have been that big bag of fairy dust that kept it dry for Crediton’s Christmas Light Switch On evening of music, lights, dancing - and that huge Pied Piper of Hamelin!

The fairy dust, sadly - part of the magic of the lights switch-on ceremony when it was thrown to the four corners of the town square - did not keep the chill out of the wind.

However, jigging to the upbeat sounds of local ska band, Skaper, on the square kept folk warm enough.

The Town Square opening ceremony was performed by Crediton’s new town crier, Kevin Payne, before he made his way to the children’s fancy dress competition, which was being held in Crediton Methodist Church.

Stalls around the square offered a variety of victuals through the evening, many folk staying to enjoy.

Others drifted off to St Lawrence Green, stopping to watch dancers from Charles Academy of Dance and the Great Western Morris men, on the way to join the big procession down through the town.

The parade included a huge effigy of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, lots of children dressed as rats and in other costumes to link with the Christmas in Crediton committee’s “Fairy Tale” theme.

There were people with banners, flags and snowflakes and the First Crediton Scouts had a pirate-themed boat.

At the Town Square the four children’s fancy dress winners climbed on to the rostrum from where the fairy dust was thrown after Father Christmas had given the orders from a top floor doorway on The Pannier.

The trees around the town square were lit, corner-by-corner, them came the "big event" and switching on the lights for the huge tree on the square.

The fairy dust lasted just long enough to keep the rain off until the end of the evening when the road was opened again for traffic, having been closed for the two hours to allow the parade to pass safely and for people to enjoy some Christmas shopping.

The ceremony was greatly enjoyed by those who went along and everyone was kept in suspense by the compere.

Looking to see which window Father Christmas would appear from was enjoyed by children and adults alike and the lights coming on ahead of the tree went like clockwork.

Crediton Town Councillor, Liz Brookes-Hocking, chairman of the Christmas in Crediton committee, said it was a “brilliant community event with so many people pulling together to make it happen.

She thanked all who helped, in particular the marshals at road junctions who saw none of the event, the volunteers stewards and the sponsors.

by Sue Read, Alan Quick, Nora Parminter and Carol Furze