It was Ottery St Mary’s turn to light up for Christmas on Friday, November 27, with the big switch-on taking place during the late-night shopping evening.

The evening began with a torchlit procession from the church to the town centre, led by the town crier Laurie Palmer.

He was followed by the carnival ‘royalty’, Hermione Wood, Emerald Wood and Lucy Ryder, and the La La Choir, singing as they walked.

The Christmas lights were then switched on outside the council offices with the Mayor, Vicky Johns, leading the proceedings.

The evening’s entertainment continued with carol singing in the square, led by the La La Choir, and there were also two traction engines giving people rides around the town centre. Other festive activities on the night included a Christmas craft market in Silver Street, and the Christmas Tree Festival in the church where dozens of decorated trees were on display.

Sidmouth Herald: The lights on Mill StreetThe lights on Mill Street (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: Tina the Samosa Lady with her new Christmas pudding rangeTina the Samosa Lady with her new Christmas pudding range (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: The Ottery Church choirThe Ottery Church choir (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: The Ottery Church choirThe Ottery Church choir (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: Laurie Palmer led the processionLaurie Palmer led the procession (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: The torch-lit procession marched through the squareThe torch-lit procession marched through the square (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: Some of the event organisers at the switch onSome of the event organisers at the switch on (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: The traction engines teamThe traction engines team (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: Rides aboard the traction engines were given around the townRides aboard the traction engines were given around the town (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: The two traction engines proved a hit with the visitorsThe two traction engines proved a hit with the visitors (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery Christmas lights switch on 2021Ottery Christmas lights switch on 2021 (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery Christmas lights switch on 2021Ottery Christmas lights switch on 2021 (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)

Sidmouth Herald: The traction engines provided rides around the townThe traction engines provided rides around the town (Image: Picture: Alex Walton Photography)