The town centre was buzzing with festive activity, with the usual array of charity stalls as well as plenty of other attractions.

Father Christmas drove his sleigh down the High Street accompanied by the Soham Majorettes, who also put on a display to Christmas music.

Members of the St Felix Middle School steel band played in The Guimeas shopping centre from 6.15pm and there was a New Orleans- style jazz band in the High Street.

The Memorial Hall hosted the Fairy School, which organised a best dressed fairy and elves competition and Santa's grotto.

Staff in shops throughout the town dressed up and decorated their windows in a bid to win best staff costumes and best dressed window competitions.

The best dress window competition for the Journal shield was won by Outsiders in Wellington Street.

At Palace House, Newmarket Lions organised a Santa's grotto with free gifts to all youngsters who visited and the historic house in Palace Street hosted a selection of craft stalls, children's entertainment and music from the Chippenham choir. Refreshments included mulled wine and mince pies. Swynford Paddocks Hotel provided a barbecue.

The car park of The Bull pub in the High Street was the setting for Premier Soccer Skills and on Rutland Hill from 7pm there was carol singing for St Nicholas Hospice with youngsters from Scaltback Middle School accompanied by Newmarket Town Band.

Local organisations ran their own fund-raising stalls throughout the town and there were children's fairground rides, a hog roast and roasted chestnuts.