Crowds thronged Sheerness on Saturday for the Island’s Christmas lights switch-on and most successful lantern parade.

More than 270 illuminated paper displays, created in workshops by children and volunteers, were used for the procession, which was led by the Old School Samba Band.

They proved a huge hit with the crowd with their superb – and extremely loud – drumming.

VIDEO: Christmas fun in Sheerness town centre

Chris Reed, of Big Fish Arts, which put the parade together, said: “There must have been at least 300 taking part.

“It was the biggest I have ever seen. There was also a lovely atmosphere in the town thanks to the road closure. Everything went really smoothly.”

It was a packed day with a Christmas craft market, traders from Sheerness market in the High Street, mulled wine and cider on sale at the clock tower, a stilt-walking juggling elf and nearly 100 Santas.

Youngsters couldn’t believe their eyes when a “sleigh” of Santas, of varying sizes, left their grotto at the Old House At Home pub and marched along the High Street.

The surreal sight was created by members and friends of Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club.

Club president Fiona Jackson said: “It was a lovely day and a fantastic atmosphere. I don’t think anyone could quite believe what they were seeing.

“We received a brilliant reaction from everyone – including some startled customers in nail bars who waved at us with their freshly manicured hands.

“It was just phenomenal. We all felt very honoured and privileged to be taking part.”

Once the Santas had walked the length of the High Street and Broadway they made their way to the clock tower for a giant conga dance followed by the hokey cokey and carols.

Fiona added: “It was wonderful to see so many of the public joining in.

"We were, of course, there to raise money for our charity work but the biggest buzz was seeing all the community coming together.”

The lights around the clock tower were switched on by Sheppey DIY SOS celebrity family the Ratcliffes.

Nick Knowles from the BBC TV show helped build them a new home in nine days, thanks to donations from local firms.

Kyle and Garry took along their four adopted children, Haydn, Curtis, Isobella and Phoebe for the ceremony.

As everyone counted down from 10 the whole family pushed the button to turn on the lights.

Kyle said: “It was an honour to be invited. The children were so excited.”

Ria Crawford, of Sheerness Town Team, which co-ordinated the event, said: “I’d like to thank everyone, from the arts and crafts and charity stalls to the regular Saturday market traders, and the Ratcliffe family, for making it such a wonderful day.

“It was a beautiful and thrilling lantern parade and a delight to see so many Santas in one place.

“I’d also like to thank stilt-walking juggler Allan Swan and his elf friend, Mr Coco, for entertaining the children and Sheppey FM for providing its roadshow.

"We also appreciated the Sheppey Event Marshalling Unit (Emus) for running the medical centre and ensuring the event was safe.

“We couldn’t have done it without so many volunteers.” James McKenzie was event photographer.

There were also two Santa grottoes in the town, one at the Cottage of Curiosities in Rose Street and one at Ria’s CCG shop in the Broadway run by Stephanie Heaton and Nicola Bidgood.

The Sheerness switch-on almost never happened. Technicians were still working in the Broadway late on Friday night to ensure the displays were up in time for Saturday.

Sheerness Town Team chairman John Nurden admitted: “Most people have no idea how difficult it is to light up a town for Christmas.

“Raising the money, a huge feat in itself, is often the easiest part. The whole process is fraught with red tape and is a health and safety nightmare for volunteers like the town team.

“None of us get paid. You might think we are mad but we do it because we believe the town deserves better. We think it should have events throughout the year and a display at Christmas for Islanders but organising these takes time and most of us have day jobs.

“This year we started early to find a contractor to install our lights and give advice on alternative systems.

“Talks went well but a series of last-minute complications unforeseen by the contractor threatened to leave us, literally, in the dark.

“It was only thanks to the sterling work of Sheppey firm Prime One Maintenance, led by Paul Whitehead, that we were able to have anything this year.

“They provided three cherry pickers on Thursday and Friday evenings to ensure we had lights on the clock tower and Broadway.

“They are returning this week to complete the lampposts, which Kent Highways insists require special licences.”

He added: “It was brilliant on Saturday to see everything coming together. But it was touch and go. Yes, it could have been better in places.

“But I am immensely proud of the dedication and commitment of town team members who moved heaven and earth to ensure Islanders were given a special Saturday.

“It was, however, a perfect example of why Sheerness deserves its own dedicated town council to push for essential maintenance.

“That is why we continued to collect signatures for a petition to support that on Saturday.”