A PAIR of Christmas parades in Haworth proved a big hit with locals and visitors alike last weekend.

The latest two days of festivities kicked off last Saturday afternoon (Dec 10) with the carol parade beginning at the top of Main Street and heading down the hill to the large village Christmas tree for carol singing.

Shoppers were treated to brass band performances, and Morris dancing throughout the day.

The main event the following day was the annual village torchlight procession, which began at the end of the afternoon at the bottom of Main Street.

Participants included a brass band, a choir, Oakworth Morris Men, members of the Four Hundred Roses dance group, parade master Martin Nutter and this year's Holly Queen and her Ivy Princess attendants.

The procession was led up the street while singing carols accompanied by live music, with the occasion culminating in a carol service at Haworth Parish Church.

While many of the parade marchers carried old-style flaming torches, spectators and children were supplied with hand held electric candles, giving them a chance to contribute their own illuminations.

Santa was on hand to give out sweets to children, courtesy of Mrs Beightons Sweet Shop, while Haworth Craft Fairs staged their popular fair at the Old School Room, in Church Street, all weekend.

Main Street trader Mike Hutchinson, one of the event's organisers, said: "We had a great turnout over both days.

"The Saturday was slightly smaller and more intimate and festive, but there was a fantastic atmosphere on the Sunday too.

"We had the parade with the Holly Queen and Golcar Brass Band and hundreds of people joined in."

Procession leader Martin Nutter said: "It was a little bit cold, but the weather held, it didn't rain, and we had a good crowd at the top of the street.

"Plenty of people went into the church for the service and I had a number of members of the public come up to me afterwards to say how much they'd enjoyed themselves. It went really well."

The Christmas season fun is set to continue in Haworth later this month, with a nativity parade due to be staged in the village on December 24.

Shops will again be open for late night custom on Saturday December 17, with many traders on Main Street joining in by donning Victorian-era costumes.

More details are available on the Haworth Victorian Christmas Facebook page.