More than 220 people flooded into Halstead’s Holy Trinity Church for a meet and greet event.

Held after the official turning on of the town’s Christmas lights on Saturday, everyone was invited to the church to enjoy refreshments organised by the Chamber of Trade.

Several member of the Halstead in Bloom team helped decorate the hall and the Christmas trees, which were donated for the day by the charity shops.

Stars people had bought were hung on a large Christmas tree in the church.

Money raised through the sale of the stars will go towards the Michael Portway memorial fund, in memory of Halstead icon Michael Portway who passed away earlier this year.

Chair of Halstead Chamber of Trade, Anne-Maree Robertson, said: “There were so many people we started to lose count.

“There was a mix of ages from the young to the very old and everyone in between.”