IF the real Queen Victoria had still been alive and visiting Marlborough on Tuesday instead of her actress lookalike Mary Ratcliff she would probably have been very amused by the town's annual Victorian evening.

Downpours held off for the annual spectacle of colour, sound and movement in the High Street which marks the run in to Christmas. Many of the shops remained open for the evening with their staff wearing Victorian costume to take advantage of the large crowds which tuned out.

Whichever way you turned there was something to see or do with a variety of street entertainers ranging from fire jugglers to clowns wandering in and out of the crowds.

Musical entertainment varied from piped carols in the central area of the High Street to fairground organs at either end of the street.

In the town hall the combined Phoenix Brass and Kennet Accordion Orchestra, conducted by David Watson, entertained with a varied programme of popular music and carols.

In the Merchant's House there was a display of old photographs of Marlborough taken from the town's archives and the collection of Rob and Angela Dickens. The newly restored 17th century dining room with its vividly painted striped walls, which have been carefully replicated by conservators, was on show and featured a tableau of the puritan bishop David Sherratt and the merchant Kevin Dickens.

In St Peter's Church the choir from St Peter's School entertained with carols and throughout the High Street there were stalls and displays by charities including the Naomi House children's hospice which the people of Marlborough have taken to heart and support generously throughout the year.

Queen Victoria travelled around the town centre in a horse drawn landau and the magnificently turned-out Fuller's Brewery dray with its pair of shire horses was a great attraction.

The Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary from Wallingford in Oxfordshire had one of its rescued beasts Princess pulling a nativity tableau and collecting funds towards its work.

Weather conditions prevented the Alan and Harris hot air balloon being inflated but its basket was displayed and its burners helped light up the night sky.

The entertainers included Joanna Lumley lookalike Sue Bradbury who performed the official switch-on of the town's Christmas lights.

Marlborough's own answer to the legendary Houdini, Kenny Dean, who styles himself as the Great Kondini, had issued a £1,000 challenge to anyone who could come up with a manacle or other device he could not escape from.

He said: "After the piece about my challenge appeared in the Gazette last week I had about 36 phone calls from people who thought they could come up with something I could not escape from.

"We selected 12 different devices and we let the audience decide which one and they chose a straight jacket which was brought along by a chap from Berkshire. I had said that if I could not be free within three minutes I would hand over £1,000 but I managed to escape in about two and three quarter minutes."

He has a few more shows this year and if the £1,000 is not forfeited by New Year's Eve it goes up to £2,001 (the same as the year) and will be increased every year it remains unforfeited.

Mr Dean, who lives in Great Bedwyn and whose act includes fire-eating and swallowing razor blades, said: "Perhaps over the winter people can come up with something I can't escape from."

The Victorian evening was taking place for the eighth successive year and is organised by the Chamber of Commerce to raise funds for the town's Christmas lights and for the Naomi House children's hospice.