CAROL singers braved the cold to help Colchester’s mayor welcome winter.

Mayor Sonia Lewis revived an old tradition by heading out to greet the new season.

She could not have timed it better, as snow was thick on the ground when she set off to tour the streets, with the Essex University Choir and the Colchester Town Watch.

Town crier Robert Needham started proceedings by shouting out Colchester’s Ode to Winter, written in the 18th century.

Mrs Lewis gave out bags of sweets and 100 handmade gingerbread men to children.

She said: “We were only out for an hour, but we collected more than £100 for charity.

“It wasn’t too chilly, but the choir felt an hour would be long enough for their voices, given the conditions.”