Thousands of revellers enjoyed the festive fun on offer at Maldon's Christmas Fayre.

Nearly 100 stalls lined the High Street, with a variety of food, drink, gifts and children's activities catering for all.

Talented local musicians performed festive hits on a stage opposite All Saints' Church, with more live music outside the Swan Hotel.

Town councillor Michael Pearlman helped organise the event and hailed it as “the best one ever”.

He said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everybody who was involved – the mayor, the team at the town hall and everybody who supported it.

“Talking to stallholders and businesses, everyone seemed very happy.

"Sponsorships were at an all-time high, meaning people put their hands in their pockets to be there.”

Mr Pearlman raised £8,300 through sponsorship, which paid for the lights, security, entertainment and more.

“Every penny that goes into it is used to give everybody a fantastic time,” he said.

Head students from St Francis' School and Maldon Primary School officially switched on the Christmas lights at 5pm.

Maldon town mayor Andrew Lay thanked their parents and headteachers for allowing them to get involved, as it was “thoroughly enjoyed by everybody there”.

Mr Lay said: “It was great to see so many see so many smiley, happy faces enjoying the town, spending time and money on our diverse range of shops and stalls.”

Deputy mayor Martin Harvey said: “It was a great event for the town. The lights looked absolutely fantastic.

“My favourite part of the evening was seeing the look on the schoolchildren’s faces as they switched the town’s lights on.”

For the first time, BBC Essex broadcast the event live all evening, including the countdown to the big light switch-on.

Presenter Matt Mackay said the station was keen to be part of “such a big community event”.

He said: “It was so good to see lots of people turning out in Maldon on a very cold Thursday evening to celebrate the start of Christmas.

“The community groups who appeared on stage did an incredible job. It’s not easy to perform in front of thousands of people in your hometown.”