Offa Council enjoyed their Christmas lights switch on this weekend with the thousands in attendance.

The community council hosted the event at Bellevue park on Friday night and despite the weather and threatening Storm Arwen, enjoyed the festivities with everyone there.

Karen Benfield, Offa Community Council Clerk said:

"One of the organisers Alex Jones (community councillor for Erddig ward) had an idea to bring some festive cheer after the last 18 months. Last year he did the Santa float so it was inevitable that we needed to do something bigger.

"After discussions with the community council it was decided we would hold a light switch on event in Bellevue park. The park is a fantastic natural event space with the band stand at the heart. "Lots of organising goes into these events and we would like to thank everyone who took time to help including the Offa community councillors who marshalled the event in the cold weather. We are hoping to grow the event and also look at hosting some more events in the park.

She added "Special thanks to Scot Lloyd from the Ifton Brass Band who organised the music including Victoria School choir, Bellevue youth band and Bulgarian dancers. Others that deserve a big thanks are Stewart and his Community Pay-back team for clearing the Park of leaves, Alasdair Dave and John the Park staff, Paul Hooson for the loan of his floodlights, Darren Evans for the loan of his exhibition trailer which was used as Santa's grotto and for transporting the flood-lights and for his two little ones for being Santa's helpers

"Travis Parkins for donating the white litter bags, Leah at Contas for turning around the banners so quickly, Wes WCBC for having the car-park cleared of chippings, Jonathan WCBC for removing the bollard, the Bowling Club for manning the toilets, Mr Porter and his Ysgol Clywedog pupils, the pupils of Victoria school, Scot Lloyd and the Ifton Band, Kerry Williams WCBC for allowing us to use the Park, our local Police team and their colleagues, the security officers, Cllr Andy Williams and his colleagues.

"Swift Hire for loaning a generator for us at the last minute, whoever sorted the weather for the night for us (we were so worried in the morning but it turned out dry and the crowds came out in their thousands) from me a very big thank-you to Santa for making 330 children and their parents very happy."