SEASONAL goodwill was present in abundance last weekend as crowds streamed into the centre of Great Yarmouth for the annual Christmas Fayre.The event started on Friday morning with a stronger focus than before on St Nicholas' Church, which played host to more than 40 stalls, and the food hall within the Priory Centre.

SEASONAL goodwill was present in abundance last weekend as crowds streamed into the centre of Great Yarmouth for the annual Christmas Fayre.

The event started on Friday morning with a stronger focus than before on St Nicholas' Church, which played host to more than 40 stalls, and the food hall within the Priory Centre.

And while both venues buzzed with people, the Market Square also played host to the fairground and newly installed ice rink.

Amongst the highlights was the performance by Norwegian choir Lardal Kantori, who packed in the biggest crowd of their seven years at the Fayre on Saturday night with 185 people enjoying their traditional carols.

There were also elves, punch and Judy shows and Norwegian traders selling specialist craft, not to mention reindeer and an award for the best decorated stall.

Valery Goldspink,62, won the award for her stall selling sun-catchers. She said:

“Me and my daughter Lindsey dressed as Mrs Christmas and we put a lot of glitter on the stall and worked hard so it felt very nice to win. I thought the Fayre went very well and we were pleased to be a part of it.”

The closing ceremony, which included the T.S Warrior marching band leading the local dignitaries from the town hall to the church at 2.30pm on Sunday, capped off the weekend.

Town Centre manager Jonathan Newman was pleased the Fayre but keen to make improvements for next year. He said:

“Lots of people came and there was a real festive atmosphere. I thought the church especially looked marvellous and the Priory Centre was a real success as a food hall.

“However, it was disappointing not to have the Marquees in the Market Place like we have before and I want to get the weekday Market traders more involved next time.”

There will now be late night shopping in Yarmouth every Wednesday evening until Christmas, and entertainment in the town centre including visits from Santa's reindeer. Free parking is available every night from 4pm in the council-run town centre car parks.