OWLS were hooting and the moon shone on a cold, breezy December night in Tenby as a large gathering assembled and lit paper ‘lanterns of love’ with LED candles of yellow, pink and blue.

They were all there to remember precious babies who had died. Led by Hayley Vallance of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire Sands, the party - which included children and several dogs - climbed the footpath from Butts Field car park to the Croft, where Tenby’s sparkling harbour came in sight.

The procession followed the coastal route, down High Street and Crackwell Street to Castle Hill, via the lifeboat house, stopping at the bandstand above Castle Beach for a photograph.

Rejoining the Square via the arches near the Prince Albert Memorial, the lantern parade then proceeded up St Julian’s Street, turning at Cob Lane to join the Paragon and thence to the Esplanade. The final walk led past Battery Gardens and the railway station to St Johns Church for welcome refreshments, including hot chocolate and sausage rolls.

As they entered the church, walkers were handed carol sheets and a short service ensued, after which came the opportunity to hang stars in memory one of the church’s many Christmas trees.

According to Sands’ head office, the starlight walk raised at least £2,600 for the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, and this is thought not to include £400 from one of the fundraisers.

Sands supports anyone who has been affected by the loss of a baby. Contact [email protected] or follow the charity on www.facebook.com/pembrokeshire.sands .

“What a wonderful turnout for our Starlight Walk!” said Hayley. “Thank you to everyone who registered and donated and thank you to St Johns church for the refreshments.

“Tenby was lit up with lanterns of love, in memory of our precious ones.”