BEVERLEY shops were given a welcome boost as thousands flocked to the town's Festival Of Christmas.

Traders throughout the town made a determined effort to enjoy a seasonal upturn.

Most were open yesterday as TV gardener Charlie Dimmock launched the parade in Wednesday Market with Festival chairman John Bird.

She said: "I've never been to Beverley, but it looks lovely. I'll definitely be back."

Damp conditions and the odd shower did not put off the crowds.

Families with young children lined the parade route down to Saturday Market.

G Jack & Son delicatessen was doing a roaring trade at the top of town and traders the length of the route enjoyed healthy crowds.

Further down, towards Saturday Market, street stalls were selling local produce at the Victorian Market.

In the crowd were Adele Sewell and her children, Jack, 6, and Hannah, 4.

Mrs Sewell, of Inglemire Lane, north Hull, said: "We've bought some cheese and we've got the honey we came for. Now we're heading over to the rides.

"We haven't seen Father Christmas yet, but we're looking forward to it.

"The children haven't had the Santa hats off their heads since we opened the Christmas box and found them the other day. They love wearing them."

Two-year-old Megan Drage, of Cherry Burton, was sheltering in the Market Cross with her granddad Roger King, a member of Beverley Lions.

Mr King said: "She's been to see Father Christmas twice and she's just been awestruck."

Surveying the teeming marketplace, Mr King said: "This is an excellent event. We do it every year and it's very good for the town.

"Obviously, it's better when the weather's good, but people make a lot of effort and it makes for a great start to Christmas."

Yesterday's festival was the 17th held in the town.

It is one of East Yorkshire's biggest days out and this year's event looked to have attracted the predicted 50,000 crowd, despite the weather.

One of the highlights for the children were Cairngorm reindeer drawing Santa on his sleigh before heading to their pen outside Grays estate agents.

Other features included musical street entertainment, started with gusto by Beverley And District Pipe Band playing Flower Of Scotland and Amazing Grace.

The Sealed Knot Society produced a re-enactment of a medieval street skirmish.

Children waited patiently for fairground rides and dads admired cars brought by East Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club.