THOUSANDS of people flocked to Dunster this weekend for Dunster by Candlelight 2016.

People travelled from far and wide to join in the traditional celebration in the medieval village which is one of Somerset's biggest winter events.

There was a lantern parade, street entertainment, petting zoo, craft and food stalls as well as all the restaurants and shops staying open for the big event.

The event has raised thousands of pounds for St Margaret's Hospice and this year was no different.

Hannah Bradshaw from St Margaret's Hospice said: "It is too early to say how well we did but I can say we had some fantastic entertainment and some of them raised a good bit of money for our collecting tins.

"Rimski with his piano on a bicycle and Kwabana Lindsay on the slack rope were superb."

Mrs Bradshaw said that just from selling programmes she was aware of visitors from every corner of England and Wales and some from as far as Scotland.

"We also captured some new visitors who stumbled across Candlelight by accident but had a great time," she said.

"Candlelight benefits the whole area. If we didn't have Candlelight then many of the Dunster shops would struggle during the winter months."

Dunster Castle provided a stunning backdrop for the event, dramatically floodlit in coloured lights especially for Candlelight.

Performances over the weekend in the Castle included the Taunton Preparatory School Choir, the Quantock Musical Theatre Choir and Hazel Prior and Saffron Summerfield playing the Celtic Harp, acoustic guitar and singing in the Inner Hall.

"Now in it's 30th year, this has become a well-established annual tradition and a great way for family and friends to begin the countdown to Christmas and enjoy a wonderful evening together" said John Lax, visitor services manager at Dunster Castle.