Exmouth's first Christmas Village began on December 15, and we caught up with organiser George Nightingale to find out how the first week has gone.

He says: "It's been fantastic, it has been well received by the town, and we have had more than 10,000 people pass through the door."

The market is on hold over Christmas, with no events planned for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, apart from a Michael Bublé tribute gig on Friday (December 22), which is a ticketed paid-for event.

The Exmouth Rotary Santa Sleigh will also be based at the event in the run up to Christmas.

The event began with a Christmas Market on Friday 15, Saturday to Sunday 17. 

Hundreds of businesses, charities and organisations set up stalls to promote themselves in a marquee in The Strand.

Tomorrow (December 22), Exmouth's churches are coming together to host a 'Nativity Extravaganza' organised by church leader Steve Jones and has a full schedule of Christian-themed events, but everyone is welcome.

The Christmas Market ends with a huge New Year's Eve Party, with seating for up to 1,000 guests who will be entertained by Ian Boyd and wonder band Reckless. Tickets will be on sale for this shortly and will yet again give visitors a focal point of coming out in fancy dress. 

George went onto say: "It is very expensive to run the event like this, and I had the idea for it for seven years but that has been put on hold because it costs so much to put on and various council loopholes have got in the way. It has to be economical.

"People have come on the train to come to the market which has increased footfall in The Strand which benefits all businesses in the town.

"Overall it has been amazing and now that there is a skeleton plan in place for the event, I hope it is something we can keep on going for years to come."

The event is free to attend and runs until New Year's Day.