Ashby's Christmas Market has been hailed as 'hugely successful' - which means future events can be even better.

It was estimated that as many 4,000 people attended the Saturday section of the event last weekend.

The following day saw the Ashby Santa Fun Run and Walk held on the Bath Grounds - and that meant many of the competitors came into Market Street once it had finished.

The snow cannon ended the Saturday section of the Christmas Market

Ashby BID organised the festive weekend which included live acts on the main stage, food and drink outlets, craft stalls and a mini-fun fair.

In all, 203 people completed the Gingerbread Trail which took them around the town to find bespoke pictures which were tailor-made to the businesses.

This helped connect the businesses to the market and stretched from the top of Market Street - Style Hive down to La Zouch on Kilwardby Street and covering Mill Lane, Rushton's Yard and Pass Courtyard.

BID representative and Town Centre Manager, Stuart Benson, said the proceeds from the event would be ploughed back into organising next year's Christmas Market - effectively meaning it will see an improvement year on year.

Stuart told Ashby Nub News: "Literally every penny that's raised from the stallholders goes straight back into the event. 

Fishers' Solicitors in Ashby had a stall in Market Street. Photo: Fishers

"So that's the uniqueness of this. We're not doing it for commercial gain.

"The money raised goes back into either the stage or the road closure or whatever - we put additional funding on top of that as well, which hopefully then makes it a bigger, better event."

Ashby Market Hall was also looking festive. Photo: Ashby Nub News

The Saturday part of the market saw some difficulty parking in the town - with organisers encouraging people to walk to next year's event and similar ones in Market Street.

The Michael Buble tribute act proved popular with the crowd

But the reaction of people setting up stalls at the event was overwhelmingly positive.

Stuart added: "The stallholders had a phenomenal weekend - to the point where some of them couldn't even trade on Sunday because they'd sold out of their whole weekend's worth of stock. 

"I've had so much positive feedback from them, and they've sort of blown me away a little bit, because they're all asking to book in for next year already. 

"So it proves that it was highly successful. They've also congratulated us on how well organised it was - add that to the physical support from the Ashby people and it was phenomenal.

"Our aim was to try and stretch it out as far as possible up to the top of Market Street. We did our best and wanted to give the whole of the town something of a flavour of the event.

"We had a lot more craft stores this year, which is all about that gifting element to the market - rather than being pure food and drink.

"We're hoping to build on this year on year, and get it bigger and better."

Stuart added that Ashby businesses in Market Street also benefitted from the weekend.

He added: "It was all about visiting the shops and the bars and cafes that we've got in town, because, again, it's those businesses that are paying for the event. 

"We had a Pubwatch meeting this week and they were all talking about having record breaking days.

"So it's great to be able to give back to those businesses that are putting into it in the first place. 

"And having that snowflake finale. The kids absolutely loved it - and it was great to see so many smiling faces."

Stuart said the most popular act of the weekend was the Michael Buble tribute on Saturday afternoon.

He added: "I wouldn't like to estimate how many showed up to the main stage for that one, but it was a lot.

"Some people got a bit over-enthusiastic when 'Michael' had finished his set - they were going backstage and asking for selfies!"