Visitors to Rochester's Dickensian Christmas celebrations weren’t sure whether this gentleman was from a Dickens novel – or if he just liked wearing his decorations on his head.

As usual, the historic city centre of Rochester was packed with colourful figures.

If anyone was in doubt about the festival's popularity, the jam-packed crowds provided their own answer.

~ See a superb gallery of pictures from the festival at medwaymessenger.co.uk >>>