A FESTIVE event took place in Dovercourt over the weekend to celebrate the opening of a long-awaited public space in the town.

The Christmas Lights Switch On took place on Saturday and marked the launch of Orwell Place.

The event was led by Harwich mayor Maria Fowler, councillor Ivan Henderson and the young winners of the Guy Carnival selfie competition. Harwich town crier Richard Bench was also in attendance.

The switch on took place in Orwell Place and in the High Street, and several other activities also dazzled crowds.

The community hub played host to a Craft Fayre with shops opening later from the top of the hill downwards in the High Street and also in Kingsway.

Harwich Town Council also funded a 20ft Christmas tree which has been displayed at Orwell Place.

The new 51-space car park has been built in the site of the former Starlings garage and Queens Head Hotel, which burned down a number of years ago.

The space's design was planned to allow for the site to be used as an event location, providing capacity in the town centre for one-off events such as a Christmas market or travelling fair.

This event was supported by Dovercourt Street Market and partly funded by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund