NEWTOWN celebrated the countdown to Christmas with a bang as hundreds of people gathered on High Street for a live street performance and a dazzling fireworks display.

The exclusive production from Rebel Alliance of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ brought a different spin to the Christmas lights switch-on.

Organisers have praised the “fantastic” turnout and thanked the production team, local companies and an army of volunteers for staging an “amazing” community event.

Mayor, Cllr David Selby said: “It was great to see Newtown full of people supporting something that’s different.

“Despite the cold, there was an awful lot of warmth. It’s already been a white Christmas, as we were probably the first town in Mid Wales to have (artificial) snow!

“The fireworks display was a great way to end the evening with a big bang.”

In the lead up to Christmas, Newtown’s Mayor is encouraging residents to support the High Street.

He said: “Look at what a great town we’ve got. Shop local and give local businesses and employers a good Christmas this year.