HUNDREDS of people gathered at Market Hill last Wednesday evening for a torchlit procession through Halstead.

The procession is an annual event organised by the Halstead Town Council.

Locals gathered from just after 6pm, despite the drizzly conditions, to collect their torches and glow-sticks.

A blessing of the crib around the Christmas tree took place before the procession began.

The flaming torches and glow-sticks created a stunning spectacle of light throughout the town.

At 7pm the procession marched to the Public Gardens to meet for a festive carol service.

Accompanied by the Salvation Army Band and Halstead Choral, crowds of people joined together to sing some of their festive favourites.

Halstead mayor Andrew Munday, Mayor of Halstead, said: “Despite the drizzly weather the procession was very well attended.

"I would estimate that some 800 people joined in the parade and also came to the carol service, hosted by Churches Together, in the Public Gardens afterwards.

“In a change to previous years, leading the parade were the Air Cadets, with the Salvation Army and Halstead Choral providing a unique collaboration of instrumental and choir for the carol service.

“I would like to thank Halstead Town Council staff, councillors, the fire service, Churches Together, the Air Cadets, the Salvation Army, Halstead Choral and all the other volunteers that helped organise and took part in this event.

“The sight of all the lit candles both when looking up the High Street and whilst in the Public Gardens is truly a sight to see, and I thank everyone that attended for supporting this event, and look forward to a less rainy one in 2019.”

Halstead Town Council posted on its website: “The town council would like to thank the many hundreds of people who turned out to the annual torchlight procession and carol service last night.

“Special thanks to Halstead Fire Service, the Salvation Army band who played the music, and Halstead Choral who accompanied with singing and all the volunteers who gave their time to make the event a success.”

The torchlit procession takes place every December and is always a well attended event in the town.

Donations were collected on the night and £736 was raised for the mayor’s charity – the Essex Air Ambulance.