Monmouth was captured by the festive spirit last Friday (December 3) as hundreds of people paraded up Monnow Street as part of this year’s Christmas lantern parade.

Monnow Street was packed with residents and visitors to the town enjoying the festive lights heading up town and settling in Agincourt Square, lighting up the town on a particularly foggy night.

The procession was lead by the one and only Father Christmas - stewarded by Monmouth Rotary, followed by the well received Brass Junkies and then dozens upon dozens of beautifully constructed paper lanterns, bringing to Monnow Street a truly festive glow. Procession participants enjoyed a set of Christmas songs from the Rock Choir followed by a speech from Mayor of Monmouth, Terry Christopher.

Father Christmas kindly gifted children plastic-free gifts for the season, however unlike previous years Mr Christmas felt it safer not to allow children onto the sleigh this time.

The parade was organised by the parade team: Joanne Stephens, Grace Line, Alys Dyer, Shelley Holbrook, Jess Stephens, Emma Bryn, Claudia Blair and Kelly Jackson-Graham. Workshop, steward volunteers from Monmouth Rotary and the town clerk also helped make this years parade such a success.