Thousands of Christmas shoppers braved the wintry weather this weekend to sample treats and buy stocking-fillers at the annual Ipswich Christmas Market.
Running alongside the existing weekday market from Friday through to today, the market featured dozens of stalls selling tasty treats, jewellery and accessories, mulled wine, clothes and gift ideas.
Meanwhile, Pop Chorus, Ipswich Hospital Choir and the Ipswich Hospital Band were all on hand to perform Christmas carols and songs for the festive shoppers.
A life-size snow globe and fairground rides helped keep the kids entertained throughout the weekend.
An Ipswich Borough council spokeswoman said: “It’s been really busy – everyone is happy, the traders have done lots of business, the music has gone down so well.
“It’s good for the local economy, helps get people into the Christmas spirit and it brings people in Ipswich, which is also what we aim to do.”
Thousands of people from across the county have attended, while more than 35 traders lined the streets along Giles Circus, Buttermarket Street, Queen Street and Princes Street – with slots having been booked up by October to make it one of the busiest ever Christmas markets.
The borough council spokeswoman added: “It helps support the regular market and the shops have been very accommodating for us.
“We are hoping to expand it each year and make it bigger and better, so come back and see us in 2017.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here