The Christmas festivities are officially under way in Ludlow.

The town's Christmas lights were switched on tonight (Saturday), and Ludlow Castle welcomed revellers to its medieval fair, the traditional curtain-raiser to the season of goodwill.

The fair, which continues tomorrow, boasts more than 100 stalls selling seasonal wares, food and drink, crafts and historical goods.

It includes live music, theatre, comedy, juggling and swashbuckling sword fights.

Earlier in the afternoon, families welcomed Santa to Ludlow in his reindeer-drawn sleigh.

Children met him in his grotto to receive a gift.

Entertainment for the crowds who gathered to watch the lights being switched on included choirs and Ludlow Town Band.