A favourite Ross tradition brought some festive cheer to the town on Saturday, when Father Christmas made a special pre-Christmas visit to the town. Joined by Spiderman, and the Carnival Princess, Father Christmas travelled along Broad Street on a float loaned by Clive Brooks of Ledbury and driven by Arpad Guti.

Dozens of families thronged the street to watch as members of Girlguiding and the Scouts led the procession with special lanterns. Everyone then made their way through the special arches set up in the Market Place. These were manned by members of Welsh Newton Young Farmers Club who handed out goody bags to all the youngsters.

This year 1,200 bags were filled with fruit, sweets and small gifts. Most of these were given out but parcels left over will be distributed to the care homes in the Ross area.

Father Christmas then met lots of the children who whispered their Christmas wishes as they had their photos taken.

See the full story and more pictures in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition http://www.rossgazette.com/subscribe.cfm"