The festive season got well and truly under way last night with a series of Christmas light switch-ons across the county.

After Oxford was lit up last weekend and Bicester followed suit on Thursday it was the turn of Wantage, Carterton and Thame to welcome in the holiday season.

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Carterton and took part in a colourful lantern parade.

The procession began at Carterton Community College and made its way to the Market Square in time for the big switch on outside Town Hall.

Witney MP Robert Courts was on hand to help turn the lights on alongside the town's mayor Lynn Little.

Wantage was transformed into a Victorian winter wonderland last night for its annual Dickensian-themed evening. 

The free community event is held on the first Friday of December every year.

Morris dancing, stalls and even a steam engine car along with people in Victorian fancy dress added to the occasion.

Residents in Thame got in on the act too with a lantern parade and a lights switch-on.

The event began nice and early at 3pm and there was live entertainment and music on the High Street and in the Upper Chamber and Masonic Hall, as well as a Santa's Grotto, Go-Karts and Donkey rides.