A FREE Christmas Eve community event held in Rhyl for the fifth consecutive year attracted more than 2,000 people and raised in excess of £3,000 for various charities.

This year’s event, at Ffordd Las Community Centre, saw 2,434 attend, with proceeds donated to be split between numerous good causes.

The Salvation Army brass and bugle band provided festive sounds, while hot and cold refreshments were also enjoyed, and Santa made an appearance to hand out gifts to children.

It was organised by the Rhyl Wings Projects community group, with one of its lead members, Steve Ridyard, hailing another hugely successful event.

Rhyl Journal: It was just a fantastic event, with a tremendous atmosphere.It was just a fantastic event, with a tremendous atmosphere. (Image: Steve Ridyard)

Steve said: “It was absolutely fabulous, and went better than what I expected. Every year it’s just got more and more successful.

“Yet again, it was just a fantastic event, with a tremendous atmosphere and no trouble or negative comments. A lot of people were saying we’ll need an even bigger venue for next year.

“It started at 11am, yet people were queuing up by 8.30am, and the car park was full. It was just nice to see the community pulling together; it was a fantastic day.

“We’re finding that a lot of members of the community are coming every year, and saying that, without us, they wouldn’t know what they’d do.

“The community now relies on Rhyl Wings Projects, to be honest.”

Rhyl Journal: Photos from Rhyl Wings Projects' Christmas Eve community eventPhotos from Rhyl Wings Projects' Christmas Eve community event (Image: Steve Ridyard)

Donations given to Rhyl Wings Projects will be distributed between such causes children’s hospitals, foodbanks and more.

Members of Rhyl Wings Projects will also be helping the town’s Rotary club with their Santa float last month.