A record crowd and donations of nearly £2,000 has made the annual Carols round the Tree the most successful yet.

Hundreds of people filled Broad Street and gathered around the Christmas tree on The Shambles in Lyme Regis to get into the festive spirit and sing Christmas carols on Monday.

The annual event, now in its 59th year and organised by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, featured live music from Lyme Regis Town Band and refreshments provided by the Royal Lion Hotel.

A spokesman for the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis said: "The great coming together of the Lyme Regis community, of what is generally felt as the start of the festive season, was the most successful yet.

"The mild evening weather brought record crowds to this annual event.

"Thanks to the town band, our town crier Alan Vian for officiating, ably assisted by his wife Lynn, and for all those collectors, Rotarians and partners, assisted by our local star collectors, Joshua Denning and his family, Andrew Hodder and all the helpers.

"Our special thanks to the Royal Lion Hotel who supplied all with hot soup and hundreds of mince pies on the night.

"Of course our thanks also to all those attending in fine voice, both locals and visitors and to all who so generously contributed to our street collections in both Charmouth and Lyme Regis leading up to the event."

A total of £1,787 was collected, with £1,006 collected alone on the carol evening - a record for the event - which will go to Julia's House children's hospice.