THOUSANDS of visitors from far and wide descended on Whalley last night for the annual Pickwick Festival.


The festive event, now in its 26th year, was officially opened by historian and ghost walker Simon Entwistle.


Traders dressed up in Victorian attire to transport visitors back to the 19th Century for the evening, as the village was filled with the sights and sounds of a Dickensian Christmas.


Attractions during the evening extravaganza included entertainment by Clitheroe-based theatre company Ribcaged, a wide range of stalls selling seasonal fare, hot food stalls, mulled wine, gifts and charity stalls, music from pipe and brass bands, children’s entertainment, and a visit from Father Christmas and his reindeer.


Shops and businesses were also open late to allow visitors to do some Christmas shopping.


The festival raises money for local good causes, and those who benefited last year included brain cancer charity Inbetween Ears, the Whalley and Billington Royal British Legion, and Whalley in Bloom.


Whalley Councillor Joyce Holgate led a delegation of VIPs around the village, including the Mayor and Mayoress of the Ribble Valley, and representatives from the Chamber of Trade.


The procession visited every shop to meet traders and visitors.


She said: "It's been held for the last twenty odd years and I've been to every one.


"A lot of people have come from a long way.


"It's a good night tonight with the weather, we've had some awful ones.


"It is important to people in Whalley, it's all run by volunteers and it's important to charities. 


"It provides a lot of money for local charities.


"We don't know how much yet, I suppose we'll find out tomorrow."