CAROLLERS were full of festive spirit on Monday evening filling Romsey Market Place with the Christmas message. More than 1,000 people took part in the highly popular open air carol service organised by Romsey Rotary Club.

Past president of the club, the Revd Bryan Taphouse said: “I think it was the biggest crowd for about 10 years. There were well over 1,000 people at the service. It was a really great atmosphere and for a lot of people the service is the start of Christmas. Everyone is getting into festive mood. It followed on from Sunday’s Nine Lessons of Carols at the Abbey, which saw a record congregation of about 700 people.”

Monday’s open air service was conducted by Ray Trickey and Michelmersh Silver Band provided the musical backing for the carollers who sang traditional carols.

These included Away in a Manger, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem and God Rest You Merry Gentlemen.

“We had a big selection of traditional carols and quite a number of choirs turned up. It was a lovely evening and it stayed dry,” added Mr Taphouse.

Prayers and reading were led by the vicar of Romsey, the Rev Canon Tim Sledge and the minister of the Abbey United Reformed Church, the Rev Terry Hinks.

Amongst those at the service were Romsey Mayor Peter Hurst, Test Valley’s Mayor Jan Lovell and Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes.

After the service concluded mulled wine and mince pies were served at the Town Hall.