Children drum up Christmas spirit
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren helped to light up the night sky as they paraded through a seaside town.
Young and old wrapped up warm as they took part in the annual St Nicholas Festival lantern procession in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, on Friday evening.
The procession started at Marine Park First School and they walked along Marine Avenue, onto Park View before finishing at St Paul’s Church.
Children from schools, including Star of the Sea RC Primary, Whitley Lodge, Marine Park and Rockcliffe First School, could be seen waving their colourful lanterns in the sky as they walked through the streets.
Tracey Elsender wrote on Facebook: “Lovely walk around the St Nicholas Festival with my gorgeous grandchildren. Really Christmas- sy! Lovely start to the festive month.”
The procession marked the start of the two-day festival, which attracts a bumper crowd from across the region.
Yesterday, families got into the Christmas spirit with fairground rides, an elves workshop, games and face painting in the town.
Youngsters were also able to pet and feed Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his friends before they head off with Father Christmas to deliver the presents.
St Paul’s Church held a tombola and raffles and more than 30 stalls will be selling festive crafts, beers and decorations.
The Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade Christmas Fair is also taking place at Whitley Bay Metro station, where the station lights will be switched on.