TOWNSPEOPLE provided a shining example of community spirit on Friday night, as more than a thousand festive revellers lit up the high street at the annual Christmas Lantern Parade.

It was all systems glow as this year's event celebrated 'Christmas of Steam and Splendour', combining Victorian Britain’s industrial legacy with steampunk science fantasy.

Steam engines, steam ships and a steam-powered Zeppelin were spotted among the ingenious lanterns, chuffing and chugging their way up Monnow Street from the town's historic bridge to Agincourt Square.

The organisers of Chepstow's Return to the Wye Steampunk Festival were spotted among the throng with a fantastic contraption, while there were plenty more traditional lanterns like snowmen, stars, glowing Christmas baubles and a giant 'yo ho glow' Father Christmas.

Santa on his sleigh provided for the night by the kind elves at Monmouth Rotary Club led the parade off behind Rudolph at 6.30pm, followed by the mayor and his mace bearers and young representatives of the armed services.

Marching band Wonderbrass gently floated up the high street in the midst of the procession under the town’s zig zag Christmas lights, providing some 'Down the Mississippi' feet-tapping music.

And the huge flotilla of lanterns also included a Welsh Mari horse, fiery dragons, a jellyfish, a white and purple hooped plane, a goose, a rocket, a huge pink hot air balloon, crescent moons, a dinosaur, and Big Ben.

Not forgetting a golden glowing pocket watch, a radiant umbrella, a town clock, high hats, an owl, butterflies, a dinosaur, a Minion, flowers, bees and bugs.

And there were also a cat, swan, heart, Pikachu, goose, glow worm, an Angry Bird, a silver hammer, a ghoulish ghost, a fish with fearsome teeth, and a pig.

Paraders were entertained in Agincourt Square by the likes of Monmouth Male Voice Choir – with rousing renditions of Noel, Noel and Hark The Herald Angels Sing – and street circus entertainer Fiery Jack, while a bustling Christmas craft market filled the Shire Hall.

Organisers thanked Monmouth Town Council, Wye Valley River Festival and Monmouthshire Housing Association for their support and funding for the event, which was preceded by several lantern making workshops.

Town councillor Rachel Jupp posted: "It’s getting better year on year! So many fabulous lanterns."

And Return to the Wye Festival added: "Fabulous evening in Monmouth for the Christmas Lantern Parade! The theme was steampunk this year, so we had to go along and join in with the fun.

"Monmouth looked gorgeous and the locals made so many amazing lanterns!"

"It was absolutely brilliant,” said another poster, “so well done all involved in putting on a Christmas treat for the town."

More lantern parade photos: Page 19