Festive raders filled their windows with snowmen, elves and of course Santa as they competed for the best displays.

Twenty businesses from across the district took part in the Christmas Window Display competition organised by Braintree Council.

The overall winners were Café Yumy in Little Square, Braintree, which won the best festive illustrative display, Bromley’s gift shop in Halstead which won the best traditional display and Humes Bakery which won the judges special award for effort and creativity.

The Hold the Anchovies restaurant in Newland Street, Witham, was also highly commended.

The judges were cabinet member Chris Siddall, Andy Martin, regional advertising manager at Newsquest, Liz Storey, chairman of Braintree Town Team and Sinead Moran, assistant manager at Boots and the event was sponsored by the Newlands Shopping Centre in Witham.

Mr Siddall said: “The idea of this competition was really about getting local traders thinking about the look of their shops, which will then add to the festive atmosphere within the towns.

“All of the judges were impressed with the standard of the entries with the winner’s displays ranging from handcrafted sugarcraft, to the fun and quirky, to the very traditional.”

The winners will be presented with their trophies at the Loving Your High street Business awards ceremony in March.