The three winners of the art competition organised by the Events Committee at Ross Town Council, in conjunction with the Ross Gazette, were thrilled to help switch on the lights around the Market House and on the Christmas tree on Sunday.

Eleri Bateman, Jessica Chandler and Jane Wheble looked down from the balcony at the sea of excited, happy faces as the countdown began.

The switch on was the culmination of a fantastic Christmas Fayre which brought hundreds of people into the town ready to start soaking up some festive spirit.

In between visiting stalls, shoppers were pleased to purchase street food or visit one the many cafés and eating places which were open on this busy day.

The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Nigel Gibbs and his wife, Gill, visited the Fayre before joining the winners to help switch on the lights.

Many children had been entertained by members of the X-entricity Theatre Group as they waited to meet Father Christmas and pass on their wishes. They also enjoyed meeting donkeys in the churchyard and owls in the street.

The Ross Gazette launched their Charity of the Year for 2018, Rocky-Lee’s Little Feet, and many people stopped to collect information about the charity, which helps to provide headstones after a stillbirth, and to make donations.