Nearly 1,000 join festival

Almost 1,000 people packed Ashford town centre for the annual On The Map festival and switching on of the Christmas lights last night.

The 35 stalls were located in a new venue - the multi-storey car park in Church Road - as the Brooklands College site where past events have been held is being redeveloped.

But families still turned up in their droves on Wednesday to sample the craft and charity stalls, tombolas and raffles and mulled wine and mince pies before watching the Mayor of Spelthorne Cllr Simon Bhadye turn on the town's Christmas lights.

Fairground rides were running in the library car park, the Ashford Rotarian's Santa arrived on his sleigh and most of the crowd joined in the Christmas carols led by the Salvation Army brass band.

Organiser Barry Muggeridge praised the work of his colleagues on the committee, particularly chairman Pat Amos, and expressed their satisfaction with the new venue.

"Most people said the multi-storey car park was a much better venue - it was much warmer and cosier than in past years and we will be back there next year," he said.

"It was a great success and got a lot of people into Church Road."