THOUSANDS of visitors flocked to experience day one of the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre.

The event kickstarted a four-day celebration, with over 200 stallholders, rides, entertainment and street food options.

Major city centre roads and locations like Cathedral Square, High Street, Pump Street, Friar Street and New Street are now lined with vendors who will be selling their products over the four days.

Matteo Conte, of Non Solo Pasta, has a stall on the High Street this year, selling a beloved Italian dish, arancini. 

Mr Conte said: "We are a family business and it is great to be here at the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre selling our food."

Some vendors are regulars at the Victorian Christmas Fayre and others have stalls at the event for the very first time.

Sam Lawson, of the Copper Beach Brewing Company, was selling a variety of craft beers in some aesthetically pleasing cans.

She said: "This is our first time being here at the Fayre and I am really happy to be here. It is all very exciting."

It would not be a visit to the Victorian Christmas Fayre without a hot chocolate, and Keeley Stokes is one of the vendors on hand throughout the event selling the festive drinks.

Tracey Jennings, of Rupert Mole Chocolate, is also returning to the fayre for the third time, selling fruits and marshmallows dipped in luxurious melted chocolate.

Traders have come from far and wide to be at the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre, but there are also plenty of traders based in Worcester that have stalls.

Names like Piston Gin, Francini Cafe Di Columbia and Izzy's Ices and Donuts are all Worcester businesses selling their products at the event.

A stage has also been set up in Cathedral Square for performances over the weekend, with schoolchildren singing carols and Christmas songs for visitors to start the festivities.

As always, Cornmarket has also been transformed for the festive fairground, with the traditional carousel, the big wheel and other rides returning.

Mayor of Worcester, cllr Louis Stephen, proclaimed the fair as officially open at a ceremony in Cornmarket in the afternoon, following a procession from the Cathedral.

Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre runs from Thursday, November 30 to Sunday, December 3.