THE public turned out in force last week for Ilminster's Victorian night, despite the weather warnings.

Thousands of people turned out in fancy dress to see the official Christmas lights switch on on Friday at 7pm.

Clinton Bonner, lights committee chairman, said: "Considering the weather I thought there was a very good turn out. There were more people than I was expecting, and the lights look fantastic.

"As always it was a jolly good evening."

The evening was organised by two teams. The first being the Christmas lights committee, and the second is the Victorian Night organisers, a sub-committe of the chamber of commerce that is made up of six people."

There was also entertainment put on during the day such as the six school choirs.

Starting at 10am, Neroche School, Greenfylde, Hambridge, Ilton, Swanmead and East Coker schools took turns entertaining the crowds.

Then there was a big lantern parade which left Greenfylde School at 6.30pm featuring the town crier, Father Christmas on an eco-santa-sleigh and the entrants into the Victorian fancy dress competition.

Michael Fry-Foley, one of the organisers of the Victorian night, said: "I thought it went very well. We were fairly fortunate with the weather. Thousands of people probably turned up. I thought the children's lantern parade was very succesful. They all get into the spirit of things in Ilminster. i think the shopkeepers did good business and the lights look fantastic."

Ilminster Victorian night continued their unique way of chosing a VIP, with resident Fay Bradley doing the honours.

Every year, locals submit their names or names of loved ones into boxes placed around the town along with a £1 entrance fee. The Christmas lights switch on event VIP is then chosen from these boxes.

The money raised also goes towards the Christmas lights.

Mr Fry-Foley said: "She was brilliant. She got dressed up and was a little bit nervous but why not."