THE ghost of Christmas past returned to Worcester for a record-breaking Victorian Christmas Fayre enjoyed by more than 100,000 people.

Estimates suggest between 115,000 and 120,000 people will have enjoyed the fayre by Sunday which is rapidly cementing its reputation as one of the biggest and best in the country say organisers.

The streets were full of hustle and bustle with 100 coaches arriving today (Saturday) following on from the 45 which arrived on Thursday and the 50 on Friday. Visitors enjoyed 150 stalls spread out through the city centre as they savoured the carols and costumes of a bygone age.

Well-heeled gentlemen tipped their top hats to the ladies and a few twirled their canes as a touch of old world class returned to the streets of Worcester. Visitors drained warming cups of mulled wine and cider in Friar Street, courtesy of Garlands Catering of Hereford although they hardly needed them with the fine weather.

Derrick Hall of Garlands Catering, dressed as a dapper Victorian businessman, of Garlands Catering, said: "The cider is matured for over 12 months and brought here today for your pleasure. We get an absolutely brilliant reception here. I know there is the German market in Birmingham but this one is highly rated and we do a lot of Christmas markets. People come from all over the place, from London to South Wales. We sold a terrific amount, particularly on Friday. We had to get extra staff in. The weather has been absolutely brilliant. We would have liked it to be colder but the weather is brilliant because it brings everyone in."

Performing on stage near the Cardinal's Hat, also in Friar Street, were Swan and Dyer with their "Winter Warmer". The duo brought to life the Victorian Christmas carol and the sounds of the Victorian Music Hall using the flute and accordion. But their musical tradition reached even further back as Vicki Swan also played the Nyckelharpa, a medieval bowed instrument from Sweden which as first depicted on a statue in a Swedish church in 1350 but came to this country in 1874. Vicki Swan of Essex said: "I love the atmosphere and the enthusiasm people bring to the fayre."

Jaime Such of Cradley Heath was doing a roaring trade selling Bockwurst sausages. She said: "It seems busier this year than previous years."

The cobbled courtyard of Greyfriars reverberated to the sound of carols courtesy of the Great Witley Operatic Society, including Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. Visitors scanned the stalls for Christmas decorations, drank warming mugs of hot chocolate or tried Christmas toffee apples.

Members of the Worcester Ukulele Club performed outside the Guildhall, including a stirring rendition of Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash.

Meanwhile, members of the Rotary Club of Worcester used the occasion as an opportunity to raise money for two Worcester charities, Maggs Day Centre and Acorn's Children's Hospice. They had their collection buckets at the ready by the Guildhall near where they had assembled a traditional nativity scene.

Helen Mole, head of events at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, the fayre's organisers, said she understood this year to be a record with the police telling her it was the busiest fayre in 22 years. Mrs Mole said more of the Worcester shops had taken advantage of the increased footfall this year, putting tables out the front. Mrs Mole said: "It's easy for people to think of Worcester as quite a small city. We're not the size of Manchester or Birmingham but Worcester punches above its weight in terms of this event. Last year was our first year and we learned a lot from that."

The Shambles was also brought into the fold this year with an entertainment zone set up there while shops in Reindeer Court and Mealcheapen Street got into the festive spirit by decorating their windows and putting out tables.