A COMMUNITY’S Christmas festival was its most successful ever, according to one of its organisers.

Loughton mayor Caroline Pond switched on the Christmas lights in Debden on Friday and pupils from Thomas Willingale School and students from Epping Forest College were among those who sang carols during the evening.

Dave Stannard, the chairman of the Debden Broadway Town Centre Partnership, which organised the event, said: “It was the most successful ever.

“It was absolutely packed out with hundreds of people and the schools were marvellous.

“We ran out of mulled wine and mince pies half way through.”

It was announced at the event that Debden Day, which did not go ahead this year, will take place around the time of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year.

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