TALENTED musicians have been filling the streets of Chester with traditional carols as they get the city into the Christmas mood.

Teenagers, pensioners and businessmen are picking up their trumpets and trombones and facing freezing temperatures to entertain crowds at light switch-ons and shopping events in the city.

The musicians from the City of Chester Band and training band have already entertained Santa and his reindeer and helped switch on Hoole Christmas lights, but with weeks to go before the big day they are still working hard to get Chester in the festive mood.

Last weekend the main band joined forces with stilt walkers and pantomime characters as they welcomed Father Christmas and his sleigh to the Grosvenor Shopping Centre.

And during one of the busiest times of the year they performed at John Lewis on Sealand Road, switched on Huntington’s village green lights and travelled to Northwich for a special concert for St Luke’s Church in Winnington.

The bands will also be performing at the Mickle Trafford switch-on this Friday, and on Friday, December 14, the main band will be holding a concert at St James’s Church in Ince.