WOTTON mums saved a popular Christmas event and ensured festive fun could continue this year.

The town’s annual vintage shopping event took place on Sunday, December 1 and saw stalls line Long Street and musicians perform to passersby.

This year’s event was pulled together by a group of local mums. In previous years it has been run by the Chamber of Trade.

One of the nine organisers, Ali Lidbetter, explained: “This year the Wotton Christmas Market was organised by the newly formed Wotton Events; a small group of local mums who decided to join forces and run this much loved event after hearing it was not going to happen this year.

“We couldn't have hoped for a better day and a better turnout from the local community. There was a fantastic, festive atmosphere on the streets, enhanced by the beautiful music of local bands and choirs.”

Town crier George Carpenter kicked off proceedings outside the TSB branch in Long Street, where visitors were also able to see Father Christmas.

A Gromit statue from the summer’s Gromit Unleashed campaign around greater Bristo was also visiting the town for the occasion.

Cath Kidston’s five foot fibreglass statue, Antique Rose, owned by Yate Supplies, took up residence in the town hall, where he was happy to pose for pictures with willing donors.

All donations go towards Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal for Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Entertainment across the day included Wotton Silver Band, the Blowaway Band, Round the Edge Community Choir and New Generation Street Dance.

Ms Lidbetter said the team had received positive feedback and were already thinking ahead to 2014 as things had gone smoothly.

“From organising trees to go outside every local shop, organising road closures, marketing, inviting Father Christmas to visit and booking street entertainment and stalls, we are so relieved and pleased that everything came together,” she said.

“Highlights include George Carpenter opening the event, the Cath Kidston Gromit coming to town plus the happy faces of children up and down the street which is of course the primary reason we wanted to ensure this event continues.

"We are so grateful to all the people and organisations who helped us out, and to everyone who came along to support the event."