THE Basildon at Christmas event took place in the town centre on Saturday and has been declared a roaring success.

Thousands of residents flocked in to enjoy all the goings-on at the event, which started at 10am and culminated in a fireworks display at 6pm.

Many activities were happening across the town including rides, Santa's grottos in Eastgate and the market, food stalls, free festive mini-golf, and live performances on the Gateway 97.8 stage in St Martin's Square.

There was also festive walkabout entertainment in the Eastgate Centre including the Snowball Sprites, Ice Queen and the Elf, the Elvish Presents, and a pair of stilt-walking Christmas Trees.

Mayor of Basildon Cllr David Dadds led the 10 second countdown to start the fireworks with the cast of this year's Towngate Theatre Panto, Beauty and the Beast. He said: "What a brilliant day it was on Saturday. It was great to see Basildon Town Centre so busy and vibrant with the many different things that were going on.

"The best thing about it was the atmosphere. I was there from the opening of the grotto, to the starting of the fireworks in front of the massive crowd, and all I saw all day was so much fun being had by people of all ages. It really did show the best of Basildon.

"It was a brilliant effort from residents coming out in such large numbers, and I hope everyone who attended had as much fun as I did. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it a success and I'm already looking forward to next year."

The event was a partnership between Basildon Council, The Eastgate Centre, Gateway 97.8, Basildon Town Centre Management (BTCM), Basildon Market and Go Trade.

Some of the activities in the town centre were for Saturday only, but the Grotto in Eastgate, and the Bavarian Market in the town square, which includes the various food and drink stands as well as the free crazy golf, will be staying there until Christmas Eve.