HUGE crowds contended with the cold last week as the one and only Father Christmas came to town.

On November 24 several hundred people took to the streets of Newton Abbot whereupon they eagerly awaited the switch on of the town’s Christmas lights.

Left bereft last year, revellers were overjoyed to hear that this year the Christmas lights would be switched on by the man himself, the one and only Father Christmas.

Despite being an acutely busy individual with a schedule as packed as a schedule can be, Father Christmas still managed to make it to Newton Abbot.

Starting out at the train station, Father Christmas travelled through the town towards the clock tower where he did the honours and switched on the centrepiece tree which adorned the historic building.

Newton Abbot Town Council would like to thank everyone for their support during the evening.

A spokesperson said: ‘There was lots of smiling little faces after seeing the main man himself and the lights didn’t disappoint.’