A HOTEL in Marlow was transformed into a winter wonderland on Sunday as around 1500 people turned out to make a start on their Christmas shopping.

Organisers said this year’s annual Christmas market at the The Crowne Plaza was the biggest and busiest yet, and featured two floors of stalls and entertainment.

Businesses from Marlow and the surrounding area had their wares on show, with everything from handmade decorations to jewellery, toys and cheese.

And entertainment throughout the day came from the likes of Marlow Orchestra and Next Stage Choir, fresh from their popular performance at last week’s Switch on and Shop event in the High Street.

Organiser Kerri Cicirello said: “It’s gone really well, better than we could have expected.

“We do it every year but it’s bigger this time. It’s been busy all day, we’re really pleased.”

Marlow’s community orchestra played their second show in three days, having entertained audiences at a similar event at the Assembly Rooms on Thursday.

Conductor and founder Tom Horn said it is a positive time for the group - which only launched earlier this year – and that they are eyeing their first formal concert soon.

He said: “It’s been excellent, the shows we’ve played so far have been taking music out there to the people.

“We’re growing out numbers steadily and while we haven’t played a sit down concert as such so far, hopefully it won’t be too long.”