Families pack Stourbridge town centre for Christmas festival

The festive season arrived in Stourbridge on Saturday with the event which dominated the town's shopping centre.

Fairground rides, market stalls and even a steam engine featured at the festival. At a stage put up in Lower High Street, entertainment was from a ukulele band, local singers and Stagecoach Theatre Group.

Deputy Mayor Margaret Aston took to the stage with Father Christmas to wish families a happy Christmas. She said: "It was an excellent event – the many families who came along all seemed to be enjoying themselves, there is nothing like getting everyone in the mood for Christmas."

As well as entertainment and a visit from Norman the Reindeer, the town centre shops profited from the surge in visitors.

Also on Saturday, the lights were turned on in Brierley Hill Town Centre and on Friday residents and traders celebrated the start of the festive season in Kinver.