A CLYDEBANK community officially marked the start of the festive season in the area by hosting their annual Christmas tree switch-on event.

Duntocher residents gathered outside the village hall for the sixth-annual community event which included carol singing and a visit from Santa Claus and his helpful elf.

Christmas hymns were sung by the choir from St Mary's & Trinity Church before locals headed in from the cold to the hall for some hot drinks and food, a raffle and entertainment put on by the Clydebank Musical Society juniors.

Clydebank Post: The residents got inside to get out the coldThe residents got inside to get out the cold (Image: Social media)

Clydebank Post: The hall was packedThe hall was packed (Image: Social media)

Clydebank Post: Friday nights snow made the evening all the more festiveFriday nights snow made the evening all the more festive (Image: Social media)

Clydebank Post: Organisers and local came together to celebrateOrganisers and local came together to celebrate (Image: Social media)

Clydebank Post: The Clydebank Musical Society Juniors performedThe Clydebank Musical Society Juniors performed (Image: Social media)

As part of the event, organisers do a food collection for West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare, an initiative that saw them gather s van load of donations.

And, following a surprise gift of £506.00 on Monday afternoon, the closing balance for the Duntocher team for this year was £1056.69 – money that will be put towards doing it all over again next year.

Provost Douglas McAllister was also in attendance as the locals came out in droves to support the event.