Stormtroopers guarded Marlow High Street last night as thousands of people descended to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of one of the town’s best loved festive traditions.

The lifesize Star Wars characters were due led by Dark Lord Darth Vader for the grand opening of Late Night Shopping, but organisers said he was “struck down by an earthly virus” and unable to attend.

Nevertheless, the annual party – arranged by Marlow’s Chamber of Commerce to boost festive High Street – was a runaway success, with a packed town centre enjoying the stalls and attractions.

A stage set up on the High Street saw pupils from Danesfield School and Holy Trinity lead carols with musicians from Great Marlow school.

And with a little help from Mayor Suzanne Brown, Marlow’s Paralympic hero Naomi Riches and Chamber president Martin Spittle, the curtain was raised on the town’s traditional shopping evening.

Bucks Free Press:

Retired accountant Mr Spittle, who last took the chairman’s chains in 1990, said the night was a runaway success:

He said: “I thought it was a tremendous endorsement of the community spirit we have in the town.

“Lots of people seemed to be enjoying themselves and in good humour, but all very sensible too.

“It’s the result of a lot of hard work and experience. It’s a nice occasion that hopefully residents and visitors alike can enjoy.

“It’s great to see people in good spirits and friends and acquaintances bumping into one another. It is definitely a highlight for whoever wears the chains that year.”

Scores of stalls lined the High Street, featuring a host of Marlow businesses, charities and town organisations, including Rotary clubs, Rebellion brewery and school Young Enterprise groups.

Firefighters from Marlow brought their fire engine along for the occasion and showed children around the controls, while Bucks Search and Rescue brought along their specially trained search dogs.

Kids fairground rides sat alongside stalls selling hot food, with a Santa’s Grotto giving youngsters the chance to deliver their festive wish lists to the man himself.

A nativity procession made its way up the High Street featuring towards the Methodist Church, with Mary, Joseph and all the cast in full biblical costume.

Late Night Shopping is one of two annual occasions ushering in the festive season in Marlow alongside the Town Council’s Switch on and Shop event last month.

As well as temporary stalls, many of the town’s shops and businesses stayed open late and offered treats and discounts to eager Christmas shoppers looking to grab their gifts.

The evening is designed to boost trade in the town centre and encourage residents to spend locally to boost the town economy.

Mr Spittle said: “There are those making sales immediately of course, but a large element of it is being earmarked to see what’s available some time in the future and to go back to explore the services the business have to offer.

“It seemed to me from everyone I’ve spoken to that it had been very successful for them and that they had got extra business out of it.”