HUNDREDS of people descended on Manningtree for the town’s annual Christmas celebration.

Market stalls, magicians, dance performances and brass bands took over the High Street for the event on Saturday.

Organiser Jenine Collier said: “There were hundreds of people there. You couldn’t see from one end of the High Street to the other.

Gazette:

“It went very well.

There has been nothing, but positive feedback.”

Father Christmas set up a grotto in the Crown Pub and a collection was held in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Ms Collier, who has been running the event for five years, thanked everyone who helped organise it.

She said: “It is something I do for the community.

“I do it because I care about the high street, the businesses and the area we live in.

“The market traders were amazing. They were there from 5am until 6pm.

“I’m very proud and would like to say a huge thank you to them.”