Sandbach's Winding River Distillery was one of the many stalls at yesterday's Alsager Christmas Market at the town's big switch-on.

Husband and wife Matthew and Suzanne Fox frtom Wheelock set up their business following a holiday to Italy and have launched a special gin for Alsager.

Yesterday (Sunday) the couple took their Eleacier gin to the event and showed it off to hundreds of market goers who enjoyed the festive event.

The gin uses the name recorded for Alsager in the Domesday Book and the label bears the town's coat of arms. The crest features a chevron showing three wheat sheaves for Cheshire.

Matthew said: "The crest is of the town's coat of arms and the name comes from the Domesday Book. We think it looks particularly classy."

Crowds lined the streets while others enjoyed the indoor market in Alsager Civic at a dazzling Christmas lights switch-on.

A packed audience saw Santa switch-on the town's lights at 6 pm with fireworks following the magic moment.

Stall holders packed the streets while the Wesley Place Methodist Church's annual Christmas tree festival drew crowds.

Sandbach's Winding River Distillery with its Eleacier Alsager gin and Alsager Highfields Community Primary School were among the stalls at the annual Christmas Market.

Santa switched-on the lights which included those on the Christmas tree outside Alsager Civic as well as the festive street lights. 

The event is organised by Alsager Christmas Events Committee, which is supported by Alsager Partnership, Alsager Round Table, Alsager Town Council and many volunteers.

For the first time, Santa's Grotto was based at the Community Church on Lawton Road.

Let the festive season begin in Alsager!