CHRISTMAS carols in the early morning heralded the start of Otley's Victorian Fayre.

Clear young voices rang out across town - from Farnley CE School in Orchard Gate, to Westgate Infants in Bay Horse Court and on to All Saints' Infants in New Inn Court.

Their enthusiastic efforts gave an immediate festive feel to the day, putting smiles on the faces of all but the most harassed Christmas shoppers.

And they did the fayre proud, the boys' faces black with 'soot' and the girls with mob caps and ringlets. Their chosen entertainments had been carefully prepared as well, Pool-in-Wharfedale Primary School demonstrating they were very able young morris dancers.

Few adults, on the other hand, were decked out in the full Victorian regalia, a few shops proving the exception to the rule where staff cheerfully joined in the spirit of the day and drew admiring glances from passers-by.

In Woolworths, on Kirkgate, a lone Ruth Kerr looked something of an anachronism in full dowager costume, seated at her bleeping till before an ever-growing queue of amused shoppers. Tracy Clifford, store manager, explained that most staff were keeping their costumes under wraps until the evening, when Woolworths would remain open until 9pm.

She said: "It's an important event for us and we always like to take part in it. The staff have always said that from previous years and I have to say, we're incredibly busy today."

Whether it was the lure of the Victorian Fayre enticing them in or just a pre-Christmas rush, Otley was packed to bursting during the day, encouraged by the milder weather.

And the appearance of a costumed individual, even if it was occasional, met with much

cooing and attention from the individuals making a slow and laboured progress through the teeming streets.

At Jack Haigh Master Bakers in Kirkgate, staff were really getting in the swing of things. Rita Sharpe, Kathleen Astley and Elizabeth Scruton were kitted out in mob caps and ruffled aprons as they busied themselves serving lunchtime snacks. Hiding coyly in the corner away from the photographer's lens was Adele Peakman. "Don't worry about her, she's only a scullery maid," they quipped.

It wasn't just the Otley workers and the older residents who were enjoying themselves. Peter Nunn had brought son Simon from Shipley to see the steam engines, one of which he was examining with interest outside the Bowling Green pub.

"He's absolutely fascinated by traction engines, we go all over the place to see them and that's really why we've come here today. I do think it's a wonderful day," said Mr Nunn.

Further out of town at Boroughgate's Methodist Church a craft fair was making the most of passing trade.

Skipton Building Society on Boroughgate - the sponsors of the Wharfedale Observer Victorian Fayre poster competition - was also in the mood, with cashiers and advisers in full costume and sharing mince pies and sherry with their customers.

As were the staff at Carole's, on Beech Hill. Former winners of the fayre's costume competition with their handmade authentic dresses, they were backing this year's chosen charity - Breast Cancer Research.

Manageress Elaine Wakes said: "It's the charity that we are really following. It's one we think is very, very important, a really good cause."

l Letters P6

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.