BRIDPORT did what it does best last night – starting off the festive season with an atmosphere of goodwill and Christmas cheer.

Which is perhaps why the organising committee have changed the name of the late-night festivities to Bridport Christmas Cheer.

The team responsible, which includes town surveyor Daryl Chambers, Becky Kingston, Tourist Information Centre manager Terri Foxwell, Margie Barbour, John Baker of the Ropemakers, Jason Foote of Footeprints, Melplash Show secretary Lucy Hart and local resident Carol Hatch, can all be proud of how well received their efforts were.

As usual Santa in his grotto was the highlight for the children, but there was plenty for all ages to enjoy.

The live music venues outside The Bull, The Ropemakers and The Electric Palace proved popular, as did the communal carol singing, which included all primary school children.

Town surveyor Mr Chambers said the event was bigger and better than ever, lasting four instead of two hours, with more stalls, more shops open late, more Christmas trees and more fairground attractions.

He said: “We are very pleased that it is growing bigger and better every year.”

He said they had deliberately started earlier so primary school children could get involved with the festivities and particularly the carol singing.

There was certainly a carnival atmosphere, with fairground attractions nearer the Electric Palace and a myriad of different culinary temptations from a hog roast, to crepes, fishburgers, pies, roasted chestnuts, sweets and candyfloss, as well as mulled wine, cider and hot drinks.

There were craft stalls aplenty in the town hall and Bridport Arts Centre and market stalls offering the opportunity to buy gifts of all shapes and sizes.