SHOPKEEPERS donned bonnets and breeches for their 15th traditional Dickensian evening last Wednesday.

The event, which was held in Great Missenden High Street has been running for 15 years, and started when the tradesmen in the High Street decided to organise the evening.

Since then the Dickensian Committee, which is made up of five members from the area, arrange the event every year.

Valerie Thompson, a member of the committee which organised the event, said: "It was a brilliant night we were so lucky with the weather.

"Shops were kept open and the shopkeepers were dressed up in long dresses and crinolines. As the High Street is very old it looked wonderful. There were thousands of people there. At one point I looked up and saw just a sea of heads."

As well as the fancy dress extravaganza, there were also Punch and Judy shows for the children, birds of prey, stilt walkers and fire-eaters.

The Rotary Club sent Father Christmas to see the children of Great Missenden, and various charity stalls, including Relate, were set up in the High Street.