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Haverhill's big weekend of Christmas-themed events produced some successes and some disappointments for Haverhill Town Council which organised it.

The traditional Friday evening Family Christmas Night event went off well, with good crowds turning out, especially later on towards the time for the firework display.

The fireworks on the Recreation Ground drew the usual massive crowd on several thousand to enjoy a half-hour display around a narrative of the story of Beauty And The Beast, which is Haverhill Arts Centre's visiting pantomime this year.

However, the council's arts and leisure manager Nick Keeble said there was a disappointingly low level of participation in the decorated shop window and the shop staff dressing-up competitions.

The rest of the weekend suffered in comparison with last year in not having a food market in town, Mr Keeble said.

"It was just unfortunate that we were not able to get it this year," he said.

But several new events were well-supported, including the first use by the council of St Mary's Church for staging an event, when singer Bella Hardy was the performer on Saturday evening.

Sunday saw a ski-slope constructed on the market square and Mr Keeble said it was well-used throughout with all ages of youngsters ngiving it a try.

On Friday and Saturday there was a craft market in the Arts Centre which attracted plenty of shoppers, an the weekend was rounded off by a well-attended concert from Haverhill Silver Band, also in the Arts Centre.

Yesterday and today have seen two musical shows for pensioners completely sold out.

Mr Keeble said they would review the weekend to see what was needed for next year, but a priority would be to get the food market back.