CHRISTMAS spirits were high in the Cotswolds over the weekend as towns and villages hosted a feast of festive events.

People were spoilt for choice on Friday and Saturday with events in Bourton, Shipston and Stow and a three-day festive extravaganza in Chipping Campden.

And Broadway was buzzing with visitors who took advantage of late-night shopping on Friday, along with stallholders selling tempting treats in the High Street.

More than 3,000 people turned out for Bourton’s late-night shopping event on Friday and enjoyed street entertainment, stalls and live music.

The famous tree in the river Windrush was switched on by Father Christmas and the water was filled with twinkling lights after floating candles were released to raise money for the Sam Pilcher Trust.

There was a weekend of festive events in Chipping Campden, including 40 stalls in the town square, a reindeer petting enclosure and a Mini Bite Artisan Food Fair in Market Hall.

St James & Ebrington Primary and St Catharine’s Primary Schools sang carols and the tree of light was turned on.

Mayor Chris Jones said: “It’s been very good. It’s been very well planned and wonderfully executed.”

Over in Shipston, about 2,000 people enjoyed entertainment, a festive market and live music at the Rotary Club’s Victorian Evening on Friday.

Organiser Adrian Ramskill said: “It was absolutely great. It went really well – a big success. I’m thrilled how well is was supported.”

Stow welcomed a celebrity line-up at this year’s Spirit of Stow on Saturday with farmer Adam Henson, BBC TV antiques expert Thomas Plant and writer and broadcaster Pam Ayres.

There was also street entertainment, children’s entertainment, market stalls and live music.

Organiser Jill Rodden said: “It was fantastic. The town was heaving and there was a lovely atmosphere.”