HUNDREDS of people flocked to Blandford for the town’s first Yuletide Festival.

A children’s lantern parade, carol singing accompanied by the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals from Blandford Camp and a bustling market were among the attractions that filled the town centre on Wednesday.

The rector of Blandford Forum, the Rev Tim Storey, the event’s driving force, led the carol singing outside the Georgian church of St Peter and St Paul.

“There are twice as many people as we’d hoped for, and more. We never expected this,” he said.

A parade of children from schools across Blandford and surrounding villages paraded along East Street, through the Market Place, along Salisbury Road, and through the Plocks to the Corn Exchange carrying brightly coloured lanterns made in the weeks leading up to the event.

Sue Ryall, head teacher at Milldown Primary, and Durweston Primary head teacher Liz Wesley-Baker both said their young charges had enjoyed a “fantastic” evening.

The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals, dressed in greatcoats and busbies, led the children through the town before taking their place on the green outside the church to accompany carol singers, including the Mayor, Cllr Esme Bulter, who wore her mayoral chain and ceremonial robes.

Bandmaster Claire Milgate said her musicians had been delighted to use a gap in their schedule to entertain people in Blandford and thanked retired officer and town councillor, Lt Col Bob Brannigan, for the invitation to play.

“Tonight was the first time we’d met the children. There was no rehearsal. We met in the car park and off we went.

“We usually march at a wider pace but slowed down a couple of times for the children,” she joked.

Blandford patrol officer PC Simon Evans, another of the event’s organisers, said the event would return next Christmas.

“Without a doubt,” he said. “It’s been absolutely fantastic.”