One of the coldest days this year so far did not stop record crowds turning out in Tenby on Saturday for the arrival of Father Christmas to ‘launch’ the start of the Yuletide season in the seaside resort.

Organised by Tenby Christmas Festivities committee, the cracker of a day began with local DJ Steve Briers keeping the Christmas atmosphere swinging in Tudor Square with plenty of festive favourites.

It was more a case of ‘jiggy pudding’ than ‘figgy pudding’ with a dazzling display of fleet-footedness from the Seren School of Irish Dancing before the Salvation Army band and the Friendship Club community choir joined forces with renditions of popular Christmas carols.

Spectacular street dance performances from the students of the Kelly Williams School of Dance ramped up the fun before talented local singer Laura Morgan turned in a powerful performance of Christmas classics. A student at Pembrokeshire College, this young lady is certainly a name to look out for in the future.

Tenby’s own ‘Voice of an Angel’ Sam Skyrme then took the stage with a bravura performance of contemporary and Christmas favourites before town crier Jim Cornwell announced that Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Tony Brown and his Mace Bearer, Clr. Dai Morgan – who kindly stepped in for the day as Sergeant at Arms, Rev, John Morgan and Sergeant at Mace, Mrs. Denise Cousins were unfortunately unavailable - were setting off down to Tenby Lifeboat Station to join the lifeboat crew to greet Father Christmas.

Sadly, weather conditions meant that the Haydn Miller could not be launched but Coxwain Phil John and the RNLI team still worked their magic to ensure that Father Christmas arrived on time to join The Mayor, Mrs. Sarah Brown and Clr. Morgan in the inshore lifeboat.

Escorted by Tenby Coastguard Search and Rescue team and flanked by the RNLI crew, the inshore lifeboat then wound its way up the street through a festive flurry of snow kindly provided by Tenby House Hotel, to meet the hundreds of families gathered in Tudor Square.

After distributing sweets, generously donated by Tenby House and Mr. Eric Vickery, Father Christmas turned on the lights on the town Christmas tree in the grounds of St Mary’s Church.

This year sees new lights on the tree, part sponsored by Miss Emily Ruff, who raised funds at her Christmas Market in the De Valence while the display was topped by a new star, crafted by Year Nine students at Ysgol Greenhill School.

Tenby Fire Brigade then arrived to transport Father Christmas and the mayoral party to the De Valence where Father Christmas welcomed children in his grotto and the evening rounded off with a family night and Loopy Lou’s Magic and Mayhem Show.

The Christmas Festivities committee would like to thank everyone who helped with the event particularly - Tenby RNLI, Tenby Coastguard Search and Rescue team, Tenby Fire Brigade, Laura Morgan, Sam Skyrme, The Salvation Army, Tenby Friendship Group, Steve Briers, Eric Vickery and Lesley Fisher, Seren School of Irish Dancing, Kelly Williams School of Dance, PRE Electrics, G and I Roofing, Smart Gardens, St Mary’s Church, and the Tenby DVP Trust and their volunteers.