Festive spirit lights up

FULL of Christmas spirit and ready to belt out a few tunes, keen carolers rugged up and packed the Civic Green last night for a candlelit night of festive fun.With battery-powered candles and flickering flames, the crowd joined together for a mix of traditional carols and fun singalongs.Decked out in funky festive fashion, little Zachary Burrows, 11 months, was getting in the spirit to celebrate his first Christmas with parents Jess and Scott. More seasoned carolers, twins Katie and Abbie, 9, settled in to watch their brother Luke who was part of the band entertaining the crowd.The excitement was too much for some to sit still and the grass became a dance floor sprung up in front of the band.Festive hats and shirts proved popular with young Quaid Hinkley, 5, sporting just one of many standout pieces.Superheroes and fairytale characters also made an appearance, capturing the imagination and entertaining the young and young-at-heart before the show got under way.Handy with a guitar, Steve Agnew helped keep the youngsters warm by getting them up dancing and singing ahead of the main event. The Howard brothers William, 13, Tom, 9 and Ben, 7, belted out their favourite Christmas tune, Jingle Bells, and were enjoying the fun and frivolity from their spot close to the stage.