Carols spectacular

Thursday 18th December 2008, 12:30PM GMT.

Thousands of people made their way into Shrewsbury dressed in Santa hats, reindeer-shaped ear muffs and Christmas tree decorations for the annual Carols in the Square spectacular.

More than 7,000 singers came from across Shropshire and further afield to join in last night’s event.

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The record crowd was in good voice as they sang along with the brass band on stage to favourite carols such as Silent Night and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. During the evening visitors were also treated to a white Christmas as a giant snow machine blew flakes across The Square and onto the delighted crowd.

The event, which has been held for the past 14 years, was organised by staff from the Music Hall and BBC Radio Shropshire, which broadcasts the singing live from 6pm to 7pm.

And listeners from around the world tuned into the broadcast on the internet, with well wishers sending festive greetings from as far away as Canada and Hong Kong. Lezley Picton, from the Music Hall, said: “There was a real Christmas spirit.”