SHOPPERS flocked to Thornbury for the popular Christmas food fair to support local producers and businesses.

Castle Street was closed to traffic to make way for about 80 stalls selling a range of food and drink, as well as gifts and crafts for the first time.

Cakes, sweets, meat, pickles and vegetables were among the produce available, together with speciality breads, sushi and sauces.

Crowds of shoppers were able to stock up for the festive season and buy presents and cards, choose from a range of beer and cider and try the award winning liqueurs and gin made by Thornbury-based company Bramley and Gage.

The event has grown in popularity over the years and this time coincided with the UK's first Small Business Saturday, held on what was one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

South Gloucestershire Council ran a Twitter competition on the day with a prize of a £100 voucher to spend at any of a number of independent shops in the area.

Rowena Moncrieffe, chairwoman of Thornbury Chamber of Commerce, said: "We were very pleased to promote Small Business Saturday in Thornbury as we have many small local independent shops and business that are passionate about keeping the High Street alive and vibrant."

She said special Thornbury pounds were given as tombola prizes at the chamber's our stall at the fair .