Montrose Christmas Spectacular full of the festive spirit

The Montrose Christmas Spectacular proved extremely popular with festive funseekers and shoppers alike, with an estimated 12,000 enjoying the event at the weekend.

The seasonal High Street revelry drew people from across Aberdeenshire and Tayside to enjoy the fairground attractions, street vendors and stalls, as well as the established shopping outlets and, of course, an appearance by Santa Claus.

The aim of the spectacular, which returned after a three-year absence, was to help boost the local economy by keeping Christmas shoppers local and encouraging others to the main thoroughfare with fun events, rides and street entertainment.

Organiser Tommy Stewart said: “I’m very pleased with the way things have gone. It has been very busy and everyone seems to be happy and enjoying themselves.

“The whole idea of the weekend is to encourage people to shop locally and, at the same time, bring a little fun into the town. Santa has been extremely busy, with young visitors from all over, including Dundee, Aberdeen, Forfar, Brechin and Arbroath.”

Santa’s popularity will also be a boon to the town, with the money he raised all going to worthy local causes.