The town that 'starts Christmas' with lantern parade

"For many people it symbolises the start of Christmas," says a resident whose town was illuminated by a parade of lanterns.

Newbury town centre was lit up by the annual Corn Exchange Festival of Light on Sunday.

The festive procession saw crowds of residents travel along Northbrook Street before arriving in the Market Place, led by a band playing live music.

Sukey Russell-Hayward has attended for more than 10 years and described it as "incredibly moving" to see a "sea of hundreds and hundreds of lanterns and happy people".

"The second the band kicks off, that's it, it's Christmas," she added.

Reflecting on the importance of the event she said: "The whole idea of the festival of light is it's a celebration of winter coming in, darkness coming in and being able to guide and walk together in the light.

"Cultural activities like this and traditions like this are really key to the community because they ground us, regardless of age, regardless of culture, regardless of demographics, these events bring everybody together in the town."