LANTERNS, festive lights, merry music, delicious food and quality crafts were the recipe for festive success in Saundersfoot’s Christmas Festival by the Sea.

The three-day event, staged by Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism, saw around 6,000 people going through the doors of the giant harbourside marquee, which stood rock-solid despite the weather last weekend.

Although rain and high winds kept some visitors away on the Friday and Saturday, Sunday was a bumper day.

There was a superb turnout of around 500 people of all ages for the community lantern parade on Friday evening. Led by Santa and Samba Doc, the procession - with participants holding 100 hand-made lanterns aloft - made its way from Coppet Hall to the Saundersfoot harbour decking for the lighting-up of the Christmas tree, donated by Hean Castle Estates.

The planned open-air carol singing was successfully re-located in the marquee’s Music Box, where a delightful atmosphere was created by Saundersfoot CP School choir.

Nearly 60 stalls inside the marquee, a packed entertainment programme and a full programme of cookery demonstrations from Vic North, Ludo Dieumegard and Daniel Retter were also enjoyed over the weekend.

Said Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism’s vice-chairman, Michael Slade: “We’ve been delighted with the response of everyone who visited over the weekend. People loved the cookery demonstrations and the Music Box is just going from strength to strength.

“We were particularly happy with the quality of our exhibitors - their customer service and presentation of their products was superb and really added to the friendly atmosphere.”Pics. Alan Jones