HUNDREDS of people crammed into Haworth's Main Street to celebrate this year's Scroggling the Holly event.

A huge turnout of locals and visitors greeted last Sunday's annual occasion, which is staged to symbolically welcome the spirit of Christmas into the village.

Earlier on in the afternoon a crowd gathered at the bottom of the street to enjoy entertainment put on by a choir from Bradford, members of the Oakworth Village Morris Men and Morris dancers from Leeds.

There was also music by Drighlington Brass Band, hot drinks, ice cream and other refreshments on offer.

The main event, which began shortly after 2.30pm, was a parade of 28 youngsters up Main Street dressed in Victorian era costumes.

Haworth resident Martin Nutter and the Morris men led the procession, which was watched by hundreds of spectators lining the street all the way up to the main gathering point outside the parish church.

During a brief flurry of "snow" provided by a snow machine in an upstairs window, this year's holly queen, 10-year-old Lilybeth Murray, was crowned on the steps of the church.

She was attended by Ivy princesses Elke Timlin-Bates, also 10, and nine-year-old Abi Turton.

Among those present were Oakworth resident Richard Spencer, 42, his wife Carol Spencer, 39, and their daughters Poppy, 7, and Bethany, 10.

Mr Spencer said: "We try to come to this every year, the kids love it. It's great that it's so well supported, and it's helped that the weather has stayed dry this time."

Haworth mum Sheila Redgrave, who came along with her 11-year-old son Marcus, said: "We haven't lived in Haworth long, so it's our first time. I'm glad we came, they've made a real effort. The kids' [Victorian] outfits are beautiful."

Following the crowning ceremony, the procession returned back down Main Street, singing Christmas carols. The youngsters who were part of the parade all received gifts of chocolate at the end.

Speaking shortly after the parade, Mr Nutter said: "I've been involved before but this is my first year leading the parade.

"It's gone very well. We've had an excellent turnout and a lot of children have taken part. The people of Haworth are very responsive and it's much more enjoyable when it's so busy."

Haworth trader Margaret Hamer, who was one of the organisers, paid tribute to Mr Nutter and also thanked Alma Johnson who made the children's costumes.

"We've had lots of people who've been keen to help us out," she added.