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Somerset in pictures: Santa and Christmas lights

Commando Helicopter Force A man dress as Father Christmas in a red suit waving. He is stood in front of a large grey military helicopter. There is a man dressed as an elf in green and red holding a sack of presents behind himCommando Helicopter Force
Santa visited children in North Somerset after arriving in a helicopter

December is here and the spirit of Christmas is spreading across Somerset.

To mark the arrival of the festive season, Father Christmas made a spectacular entrance in the county via helicopter.

The big red man himself visited Children's Hospice South West in Wraxall to deliver presents to families and children.

A girl in a wheelchair covered in a blanket smiling at Father Christmas
Father Christmas handed out presents at the children's hospice

Workers in Somerset have fitted a reactor into the first nuclear power station to be built in Britain for 30 years.

Hundreds of engineers and construction staff worked for several days to lift the 500-tonne steel equipment into place at Hinkley Point C, near Bridgwater.

Hinkley Point C A massive nuclear reactor being lowered into Hinkley Point C chamber. There are construction workers watching.Hinkley Point C
The 500-tonne nuclear reactor being lowered into position at Hinkley Point C

The Queen Victoria Inn in Priddy has opened it's spectacular Christmas lights display for the season, which raises money for charity.

Landlord Mark Walton said there are more than 55,000 bulbs on the outside of the Somerset pub on the Mendips this year.

An illuminated snowman covered in wine bottles with pretty bright white lights on the outside of the pub
The spectacularly-lit pub on the Mendips at Priddy raises money for charity

Organised by a Somerset pub every year, the Turnip Prize is awarded to the person who has created very bad artwork using the least amount of effort possible.

It is a parody of the world famous Turner Prize.

"Tax in Creases" by Wonga Woman, not her real name, scooped this year's award.

The Turnip Prize A woman smiles at the camera holding a turnip with a nail through it. She is sitting next to a sign saying 'Turnip Prize winner' and a white crumpled up shirt with tacks in it.The Turnip Prize
"Tax in Creases" by Wonga Woman won the Turnip Prize

Elsewhere, the Minster in Ilminster is holding its annual Christmas Tree Festival.

Each tree raises money for different local charities.

People looking at Christmas tree
Christmas trees are on display in Ilminster this weekend

BBC Radio Somerset held its annual Christmas celebration at St Cuthbert's Church in Wells.

Listeners heard from presenters Charlie Taylor, Simon Parkin, Claire Carter and Andy Bennett, with performances coming from local bands and artists.

A church with lots of people sat on the seats. There is a choir performing on the stage.
Hundreds of people packed into St Cuthbert's Church in Wells for the event
Four people stood next to each other. Three men are dressed in suits and the women is wearing a Christmas jumper
BBC Radio Somerset presenters Andy Bennett, Charlie Taylor, Simon Parkin and Claire Carter hosted the annual event in Wells

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