A procession of floats, shuffling snowmen and thousands of festive shoppers – Christmas has well and truly arrived in one Shropshire town.

The streets of Oswestry were packed with late-night shoppers yesterday who poured into the town for the annual Christmas Live event. And today a procession of floats was due to weave through the town before hundreds of snowmen arrive tomorrow for a charity fundraiser.

Town clerk Dave Preston said the wet weather had failed to dampen spirits last night.

He said: “Oswestry Christmas Live is a music, singing and shopping extravaganza and once again it was an exceptional event enjoyed by many thousands of people who were in attendance.”

He said highlights had been the Porthywaen Silver Band which played carols around the town’s main Christmas tree in Festival Square.

Entertainers

“Many shops were open for late night shopping and a fairground was also set up in the town centre, which went down very well with the youngsters,” said Mr Preston.

“The evening ended with a fireworks display and crafts stalls and street entertainers were also at the event keeping people entertained.

“This event has been up and running in the town for six years now and I every year it marks a tremendous launch for Christmas in the town.”

The Rotary Club of Oswestry Borderland’s annual Christmas procession was due to take place today and will feature up to 32 floats.

And tomorrow hundreds of people dressed as snowmen are expected to take to the streets of Oswestry in Hope House Children’s Hospice Snowman Shuffle fundraiser.

Meanwhile, Whitchurch was also today gearing up for its festive extravaganza and big lights switch-on.

Britain’s Got Talent finalists Kate and Gin were due to flick the switch on the town centre Christmas lights at 4.45pm.

The Britain’s Got Talent pair are to perform the ceremony with help from the town’s mayor Councillor Alan Chesters.

There was due to be a Christmas Blackberry fair in the market hall with free visits to Santa in his grotto.

Christmas songs were being sung in the Bull Ring from 2.30pm.