TAVISTOCK was packed with good cheer last Friday night, as the town held its annual Dickensian Evening.
Thousands of people poured into the town to enjoy the opportunity to do some late night shopping, while enjoying festive music, carols and entertainment.
The event is organised by Tavistock Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber chairman Nigel Eadie said: 'The evening was a spectacular success, with droves of first time new visitors to the town.
'Many retailers were delighted with the sales they achieved on the day, the majority recording a good increase on last year's levels.
'In the current economic climate, this is a superb achievement and very encouraging news for the town.'
Mr Eadie said the chamber's efforts to promote the town had reaped significant results.
'We are delighted with how the whole evening was managed,' said Mr Eadie, who paid tribute to chamber member Graham Skedgell, the chief organiser of Dickensian Evening.
'Graham has really done an outstanding job in bringing everything, and everyone together to stage, beyond any doubt, the best Dickensian Evening ever,' he said.
A competition for the best dressed shop window and the best costume was held during the evening.
The winners were:
Best window: 1, Odds & Suds; highly commended, Four Seasons.
Best costume: 1, Four Seasons; highly commended, Stocking Fillers (Pannier Market).
Mr Eadie thanked the competition judges, the mayors of Tavistock and West Devon, Tim Burston, town crier Bob Rose with his wife Shirley and special guests from Morwellam Quay.