CHRISTMAS has finally come to Dawlish after celebration events were delayed by 24 hours due to weather warnings.

Organisers say they were forced to postpone Saturday’s lights switch on, market and lantern parade after a yellow weather warning was issued for high winds.

The decision sparked complaints after the predicted high winds failed to materialise.

The event, which was organised by Dawlish Town Council and Dawlish Chamber of Trade, went ahead on Sunday with the official lights switch on, arrival of Father Christmas and extended opening hours for the Christmas market.

A spokesman for the organisers said: ‘After months of meticulous planning of our wonderful annual ‘Christmas in Dawlish’ event, Mother Nature has decided to scupper our plans slightly.

‘The council paid for a Dawlish specific weather forecast which stated sustained wind gusts of 28mph.

‘The limit for running the event, which is made up of flimsy gazebos, is 25mph.

‘Public safety comes first and we’re all just as disappointed and it created a lot of extra work.

‘Although we were disappointed to cancel Saturday’s activities, even with the forecast shifting, everyone certainly made up for it.

‘The atmosphere was fantastic.’

Although outdoor events on Saturday were cancelled, many of the musicians moved to indoor venues.

On Sunday, the festivities continued with snow machines, Christmas market, Father Christmas meet and greet at the Gingerbread Cottage at Dawlish Bowling Club and a performance by the new Dawlish Town Band.

The lack of events on Saturday caused some complaints particularly as some coaches arrived with visitors asking where the market was.

One resident claimed the council had a ‘record of cancelling events at the hint of bad weather’.

They said: ‘This one seems to be a particularly nervous call.

‘Shame for those looking forward to it and for those whose livelihoods are affected by it.’

And one trader commented: ‘The weather forecast said it would be clear by 11am.

‘I understand it’s a difficult call, but we have had lots and lots of sad, disappointed and annoyed customers in our shop today who have travelled to Dawlish, especially for today.’

One of the traders said: ‘As a market trader for many years you take all weather the good with the bad.

‘However this isn’t the first year Dawlish has cancelled our stalls and the weather turned out absolutely fine.

‘We put a lot of time and effort into preparing stock for our market stalls and the weather didn’t look bad at all so yes I am within my right to be frustrated.’

Another said: ‘Almost every customer that came to my stall was saying how upset they were yesterday was cancelled and every one of them were all agreeing the council made a huge mistake.’

But one resident pointed out: ‘A decision had to be made, based on the available weather forecast.

‘Yes, turned out to be a nice day, but they had to work with what they knew.’