A river of light flowed round St Martin’s Street and St Mary’s Street as Wallingford schoolchildren and their parents carried lanterns to the Christmas tree, in Market Place, for the annual open-air carol service.

It was the first year children were asked to take a special role in the event.

Organiser Ros Lester said: “I hope this will now become an annual feature.

“It was a delightful sight and there were lots of ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’, as people thought how lovely it was.”

The carol service was led by the rector of St Mary’s Church, the Rev David Rice, and the singing was led by St Mary’s Choir and Cholsey Silver Band.