CHRISTMAS got underway in Stratford with the switching on of the town’s festive lights.
Santa, complete with impressive and improvised beard, took his seat in his grotto in the town hall and along with his faithful band of reindeer, greeted children and their parents.
Meanwhile outside some 1,000 people gathered as Stratford saw its first snow and children from Alveston Primary School offered a festive song or two, accompanied by Edward VI School’s The King’s Brass.
Mayor John Bicknell had the honour of turning on the lights and officially beginning the countdown to Christmas.
