THOUSANDS of people flocked to Didcot last night for the town’s Christmas street fair.

Organisers were hoping 15,000 visitors would pack into Broadway for this year’s Tudor-themed event.

The celebrations started at about 4pm, with some of those taking part dressed up in period costume.Music was provided by band The Oxford Waits, while 60 local clubs, groups, charities and craft sellers set up stalls in Broadway and the Orchard shopping centre.

There was a funfair and musicians played on a stage off Broadway. Jeanette Howse of Didcot Chamber of Commerce, who launched the street fair 22 years ago, said: “We’ve never missed one and we have had a different theme every year.

“It was a bit of a wet day but that didn’t put people off.

“We get more and more people every year and as the town grows it will get even more popular.”

After the town’s Christmas lights were switched on, a parade left the Orchard Centre at 7pm.

Families also enjoyed taking their children to Santa’s grotto at the Methodist church hall, where there was a Christmas cafe.