YOUNGSTERS welcomed in the Christmas season with a lantern parade to mark a church’s annual St Nicholas Festival.

St Mary’s and St Nicholas Church organised the festival, which began with St Nicholas-themed crafts at Littlemore Community Centre.

The group then lit their lanterns and walked through Littlemore to the Sister of the Work before continuing to the church in Saint Nicholas Road.

Littlemore nine-year-old Ellie Jessup was among the children taking part in the festival and said: “It was fun. It was a great start to Christmas.”

The festival was organised by Reverend Margreet Armitstead.