CHRISTMAS has arrived early in Croft after an eye-catching lantern procession took over the streets of the village.

This was first time the Croft Lantern Parade had taken place with youngsters and adults lighting up the village with their creations on the evening of December 2.

Despite the cold weather, the spirits of procession walkers could not be dampened with hundreds turning up to take part.

The event proved so popular that there are already plans to bring it back next year.

The procession lined the streets of Croft walking along Gerard Road, Pasture Drive, Gosling Road, Wadeson Way, Eaves Brow Road and Oak Street.

Organiser Claire Norris, who chairs the PTA at St Lewis' Primary School, said she now hopes to make next year's event 'bigger and better'.

She added: "All the children love Croft Carnival but that only happens once a year in the summer so we wanted to organise a winter festival that everyone can look forward to.

"It was a wonderful event and I could not believe how many people turned up.

"We think there were around 300 people who took part."

For more photos pick up a copy of this week's Warrington Guardian.