THE holiday spirit was alive and well last weekend with the launch of the annual Dollar Winter Festival.

On Friday evening, residents lined the streets to welcome Santa and Elfie as they made their way through the village on Santas sleigh escorted by an army of volunteers.

Saturday afternoon saw a programme of festive activities in the Dollar Civic Centre and Christmas marquee.

Visitors were treated to an impressive craft fair, an exhibition of work from Dollar artists, entertainment from local singers and a seasonal spread of Christmas nibbles, treats and drinks, while children took the chance to hand over their Christmas lists to Santa and Elfie in the grotto.

The winter festival activities drew to a memorable close with the village procession.

More than 400 people followed Santa's sleigh, along Bridge Street under the Christmas lights to the Memorial Gardens where Hillfoots Harmony welcomed the crowd with a selection of carols.

The Christmas tree lights were lit by the gala king and queen whilst everyone joined together for a rousing rendition of Jingle Bells.

The Dollar Events Group would like to thank the residents who came and supported the festival and the volunteers for their hard work throughout the weekend.

The committee has also thanked Johnny Stewart and the Arndean Farming Company for their kind donation of the Dollar Christmas tree, as well as David and Zoe Lapsley of Cebotec Engineering for their "kind and generous" financial donation.