Thousands came to Harborough's traffic-free town centre to enjoy the Christmas Fayre

Traffic was banned as families from all over the area turned Harborough town centre into a milling throng of happy, smiling faces.

Excited kids loved two reindeer munching hay in their pen on the High Street and stiltwalkers were cheered as they slalomed through the wrapped-up crowds.

The Winter Wonderland on The Square proved a smash hit while Elsa and Anna from Walt Disney blockbuster Frozen delighted youngsters on Manor Walk.

The high-profile annual knees-up had a lucky double escape.

Perfectly timed, festivities kicked off at about 6pm just minutes after an afternoon rainstorm blew itself out.

And a power cut which blacked out 1,800 homes and businesses to the south and west of Harborough for 90 minutes skirted around the lit-up town centre.

Ecstatic Jarrod Burke, who owns the American Sweet Shop on Church Square, said: “It was a brilliant night.

“We were really buzzing – and it was one of our best nights for years.

“It was crazy and we were packed out almost all evening from start to finish.”

Jarrod, who helps to run the Harbs Collective, set up by independent town centre traders, added: “I sold about six times as much as I would on a normal weekday.

“We had to operate a strict three in three out rule.

“Impulse purchases go down well at the Christmas Fayre and food and drink outlets had a fantastic time.”