Christmas comes to Cannock - in pictures
Christmas has been saved in Cannock as businesses came together to hold a festive event.
Business owners chipped in their own money to hold the seasonal festival, following on from a Christmas lights switch-on which was organised by Cannock Traders Association, where there were no lights or a Christmas trees due to financial difficulties.
More than 800 people turned out for the event which was held over four hours on Saturday.
Businessman Paul Dadge led the effort and installed 14 trees across the area, with two 25ft trees donated by the Forestry Commission to help make the area festive.
The event featured mince pies, a fairground, fire breathers, stilt-walkers and magicians.
Rebecca Underwood, an organiser, said it was 'magical'.
She said: "It was mainly me and Paul Dadge who did all the donkey work, so to speak.
"I got involved initially to do promotion, but we had two weeks to pull it off so I had to muck in.
"Loads of businesses either put in money or time, or both, into this. It was completely funded by business and I didn't have to do much persuading when I spoke to them – everyone was more than happy to help.
"It's so important for the town centre and for the high street,
"Roughly 800 to 1,000 people turned up over the course of the four hours. It was torrential rain at 4pm which put people off sadly. The reception blew me away.
"When Santa came out on the pimped-up flatbed truck, it was magical. Every kid was beaming and it was magic."
"It was amazing."
Free mulled wine was provided by The Loft in Market Place and battery-powered lights featured in the town.
Cannock Traders Association provided technical support and gifted lights to the event.
