Singing and dancing in the rain

HUNDREDS of shoppers enjoyed a musical extravaganza on the streets of Oldham as part of the borough’s biggest ever Christmas countdown.

Performances from the French Quarter Jazz Quartet, Liberty Belles Ladies Choir, the Waverton Handbell Ringers and Woody the One Man Band provided the entertainment.

Youngsters were also able to clamber aboard a vintage bus from the Manchester Transport Museum.

Events director Mark Llewellin said: “It was, despite the poor weather, another fun day in the town centre.

“Hundreds of people stopped to enjoy the live music and a surprising number even took to dancing on the streets.

“The bus was another big hit with boys and girls of all ages clambering aboard.

“We know from the number of people asking for directions that we had a lot of out-of-town visitors too.”

Events followed last week’s lights switch-on and Santa’s Reindeer Parade.

Next Saturday, shoppers can visit Santa’s Festive Village, a collection of 21 magical cabins housing traders and food and drink vendors set around an ice rink.

There will be a host of street entertainment over the opening weekend and the village will open every day until December 13.