HELENSBURGH celebrated its biggest and best Winter Festival so far with a fun-filled weekend of festive events.

The two-day festival was once again centred in Colquhoun Square and despite bitterly cold temperatures and poor weather leading up to the occasion, large crowds turned out for the family fun day.

They were greeted by the big man himself as Santa Claus took time out from his Christmas preparations to entertain the children, while there was also a special visit from the Ayrshire reindeer.

There were more than 100 stalls serving delicious savoury and sweet treats as well as traditional mulled wine and mince pies, with many stall holders and shop owners around the town reporting the busiest Saturday they have had in a long time.

The organisers, a small committee of nine volunteers, were delighted with the weekend and relived that the wind and rain had subsided for the festival.

The feedback from visitors was extremely positive, with many saying there was a real community feel about the weekend and lots for young people to do, with many taking part in the annual Santa dash around the town on Sunday.

Lorna Douglas, chair of the Helensburgh Winter Festival, said highlights included the entertainment, the enthusiasm of the young Give volunteers and the carousel, which was a popular feature of the Winter Festival this year and a great success that was enjoyed by young and old alike. She said the committee are already planning for 2019.