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Somerset in Pictures: Santa, sunsets and Pinocchio

Sam Binding A view of the sunrise over the Somerset Levels. The light is red, orange and blue, the trees are mirrored in the water. In the distance you can see Glastonbury Tor.Sam Binding
The sun rises over the Somerset Levels on Thursday

December is here and the spirit of Christmas is spreading across Somerset, from the famous market in Bath down to Weston-super-Mare.

Racing at Taunton produced some memorable images and actors have been getting ready to perform Pinocchio in Taunton.

Glastonbury Abbey was the scene of some frosty sights, and they've been putting up the fairy lights - thousands of them - at Wookey Hole.

Getty Images A group of jockeys on their horses are pictured near the start line at Taunton Racecourse. They are silhouetted dark against the sunny sky with light clouds also visibleGetty Images

Starter's orders: Getty photographer Alan Crowhurst took this stunning picture of riders and their horses ready near the start line at Taunton Racecourse on Thursday.

Will Richards/BBC Dozens of people walk between stalls at the Bath Christmas Market. There are trees illuminated from below with festive lights and the stalls have tinsel and lights on their frontageWill Richards/BBC

Annual attraction: Bath is gearing up to welcome tens of thousands of visitors to its famous Christmas Market, which has already been drawing plenty of people to the city centre.

Ade Bowen A man is dressed as Santa, with a red hat and red coat. He has white long hair and a white beard and is smiling at the camera. He is holding a blue, glittery present and a Christmas tree can be seen behind him.Ade Bowen

Checking it twice: The Amazing Elf Workshop and Santa Grotto at the Sovereign Centre in Weston-super-Mare has opened its doors to children who want to meet Father Christmas. Kids can also make crafts at the "Elf Workshop" and have a snowball fight.

Jack Offord Four actors are standing in a circle in a white room, practising their lines together. They are reading from a script.Jack Offord

Set for the stage: In Taunton, actors are getting ready to perform a Christmas run of Pinocchio at the Brewhouse. The play will run from 4-29 December and there will be audio described performances as well as ones that include a BSL translator.

Three women stand outside a florists in Cheddar in Somerset. Two of them are wearing branded grey aprons, and the third is holding a large bunch of flowers with green and light pink blooms.

Shop local: Businesses in Cheddar banded together this week to offer an alternative to Black Friday by urging locals to try independent traders as part of the 'Colour Friday' campaign.

Charlie McGloin/Glastonbury Abbey Glastonbury Abbey with the ruins seen on a frosty day with the sky blue and clearCharlie McGloin/Glastonbury Abbey

Wintry scene: An enchanting-looking Glastonbury Abbey was captured by Charlie McGloin as temperatures dipped last week.

Ambitious PR An internal picture of the Christmas attraction at Wookey Hole caves, with a large Santa head on the wall and thousands of fairy lights hanging from the cave ceilingAmbitious PR

Going underground: They're getting into the Christmas spirit at Wookey Hole too, with 100,000 fairy lights now in place, lighting the way to where visitors can find Santa's Grotto and the Elves' Toy Factory. It is open at weekends until 21 December, when it will be open every day until Christmas Eve.

PA Media Anne, Princess Royal, is shaking Sir Liam Fox' hand at Buckingham Palace. The room is decorated in red and gold.PA Media

Royal accolade: Former MP Sir Liam Fox, from Tickenham, was made a Knight Bachelor by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace. The honour recognises political and public service.

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