A host of festive winter events are taking place across Shropshire and Mid-Wales this weekend with everything from panto cheer to towns full of running Santas.

Last night saw the launch of Shrewsbury’s pantomime, Robin Hood, with theatre bosses revealing the show has sold more tickets than any other pantomime. And this year’s pantomime is special in more ways than one.

It will also be the last ever show to be held in the historic building before the move to Theatre Severn next month.

Shrewsbury Mayor councillor Anne Chebsey was among those at last night’s official launch.

She said: “I really enjoyed this evening’s performance, it had all the ingredients for a really good Christmas pantomime.”

Thousands of people poured into Oswestry yesterday for the annual late night-shopping, music and firework extravaganza that is Christmas Music Live.

Now the town is gearing up for its annual Santa Run tomorrow. In a twist to this year’s event, Santas will be running through the town at 5pm to make the most of the town’s Christmas lights to raise funds for Hope House Children’s Hospices.

Newtown will also be awash with Santas for its run on December 14 with BBC Wales weatherman Derek Brockway starting the event before slipping on a Santa suit for the five-mile course.

In Welshpool, hundreds of people were expected to celebrate the annual Winter Festival. The event got under way earlier today with a special street market and will end with a “big 60s night out” party at 8pm.

Whitchurch was today set to be transformed into a winter wonderland with a host of events based around a Christmas gift market and a specially-designed grotto in the market hall of the civic centre from 10am until 5pm.

The Christmas lights will be switched on at 4.45pm in the Bullring.

In Shrewsbury, the Severn Hospice Lights of Love Christmas tree at the entrance to the lane leading to the Bicton Heath centre will be switched on tomorrow at 5pm.

Meanwhile Bridgnorth will be transported back in time for a Victorian festive market, starting at 10am tomorrow.