SANTA had a busy weekend in the Forest and Wye Valley, helping switch-on the Christmas lights in four towns.

The fun started on Friday in Caldicot and was followed by Coleford, Cinderford and Chepstow on Saturday.

The Caldicot switch-on featured music from local artists including the town’s musical theatre society, Severn Tunnel Band and Caldicot Male Voice Choir.

In the run-up to the switch-on, Newport East Assembly Member John Griffiths announced that Mencap had won the best-dressed window competition with Richeld Pharmacy and Headrush hair salon highly commended.

The event also featured a funfair, market and even live reindeer.

There were record numbers of people in Coleford for the lights switch-on and popular Faddle Fair.

It is estimated that more than 1,500 people were in the town centre for the event on Saturday evening.

Santa was joined in the switching on of the lights by nine-year-old Sophie Hancock.

The Berry Hill Primary School pupil had won a schools’ poetry competition to have the honour of switching on the lights.

The schools parade started at the fire station and was led by Santa’s sleigh which was built by local firefighters.

Clearwell School won the John Hamel Cup for the best school in the parade.

There was a shop window competition on the theme of ‘Shop Local for Christmas’ which was won by clothing store Celestial Adornment with the Forest Deli second and Dean Estate Agents third.

There were many musical performances including the Coleford Community Choir, and choirs from Five Acres High School, Clearwell School, Coalway Junior School and local acoustic duo the Baldwin Brothers.

Mayor of Coleford Cllr Nick Penny said: “Once again the community of Coleford stepped forward and has provided a Christmas lights display to be proud of.”

“Myself and the town council are extremely grateful to the many volunteers who give up their time to make our community such a great place to live, work and play.

“It was my great pleasure to present the lights committee with a Pride of Coleford Award for their volunteering just two weeks ago.”

There was a Christmas market in Cinderford for the afternoon as part of the town’s lights switch-on which was organised by Cinderford Town Council.

Churches Together in Cinderford performed carols in The Triangle and the event really got into gear with the annual parade from Lidl to The Triangle.

This year’s parade took its theme from the hugely popular movie Frozen.

The parade featured decorated Land Rovers as well as Santa on his sleigh and walkers in full costume dressed as Christmas-themed characters.

They were joined by Santa’s elves and reindeer, Minnie Mouse and Frozen characters Elsa, Anna and Olaf.

Children who met Santa at his Frozen-decorated grotto received a free selection box provided by the town council.

Heart FM presenters Jagger and Woody joined Santa in Chepstow to turn on the lights.

The event started on Saturday morning with music and attractions in the Palmer Centre as well as a market in the High Street .

Santa was brought to the town courtesy of a new sleigh provided by Chepstow Round Table.

The switch-on was preceded with plenty of audience participation and on-stage games – although Woody joked that a game where children tried to turn adults into ‘mummies’ using toilet roll was “probably the worst Christmas game ever!”

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.