Blackpool has its illuminated trams (a mere handful), but Bishop Monkton fared much better when a cavalcade of illuminated tractors brought a parade of light to the village.

Signalling the start of the festive season, with horns blaring, coloured lights brightly twinkling and Santa stuck down a chimney, over 30 brightly decorated tractors wended their way through the village, dispensing cheerfulness on a soggy, December, early Saturday evening. The Tinsel Tractor Run had come to town.

Father Christmas made a double appearance when he was also spotted sitting atop a straw filled trailer, while his reindeer, obviously Dancer and Prancer, showed the way in front of another tractor. Surveying the whole of this extravaganza from his lofty tractor perch was a seasonal jolly green dragon. Thanks to our photographer, Anne Higgins, who captured the spirit of the event with her lovely pictures.

This is the third year that the run has been organised, and on each occasion has passed through the village. All in aid of charity, tractors pay a fee to enter and volunteers rattle buckets along the way for donations. As last year, all monies raised will be given to support the work of Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The fleet of tractors finished their procession with a a triumphant sweep around Ripon Market Square where they remained parked up for a couple of hours for everyone to enjoy.

The event was organised by the Ripon Tinsel Tractor Group, vintage tractor enthusiasts, a sub-committee of the West Yorkshire Group of the National Vintage Track and Engine Club. The run is supported and facilitated by Ripon garden centre, F. Tate & Sons, from where the tractors departed.