Festive cheer was ringing out across the district this weekend as Bradfordians started to get into the Christmas swing of things.

Christmas lights were being switched on at towns across the district, while a host of Christmas markets also sprung up to bring some seasonal joy to shoppers.

Christmases of yesteryear were remembered at the Industrial Museum when the ghost of Christmas past was revived for its Victorian Christmas Market over the weekend.

Thousands of visitors flocked to the museum to browse a host of stalls selling food, festive items and presents.

Hot roasted chestnuts filled the air with sweet aromas while market holders in fancy dress harked back to Christmases at the height of the industrial revolution.

The museum’s event organiser Paula Walsh said it usually attracted between 11,000 and 12,000 visitors – and she expected this year to be no different.

She said: “It’s been good, all of the stall-holders are very happy and it is a lovely atmosphere.

“It starts Christmas off really well and it’s such a very successful event, every year it is just so popular with visitors.”

This year the event saw Scrooge performances in the Mill Manager’s House, a visit from reindeer, Bradford Chorale singing throughout the museum and children’s Christmas crafts in the Horse Emporium.

Steven Long, 38, of Eccleshill, visited the market with his two daughters, aged seven and four, his ten-year-old son and his partner Sam Robertshaw.

He said: “I’ve never been before, my son has with school, but we came along and yes, it was very nice.

“It made the whole family feel quite Christmassy – it’s been really good.”

Elsewhere, Brighouse saw its biggest ever Christmas lights switch on, according to the event’s organisers.

More than 60 stall holders took part in the Christmas market, and Brighouse Business Initiative chairman Lesley Adams said: “It’s been absolutely manic, to put it mildly.

“We have just never seen crowds like this today, it’s the best one we’ve ever held.”

Local school bands and choirs played throughout the day while children were also able to enjoy the festive fairground rides.

Real reindeer also visited the town, while Santa also made a full appearance during the afternoon, as he and his helpers took part in a parade with a magical sleigh and reindeer sprinkling fairy dust over the crowds, before the countdown begun to the Christmas Lights Switch On.