In pictures: Snowy alpaca and Gromit lantern

The head and neck of a brown alpaca can be seen from the side as they stand in a snowy Cotswold field, with more snow falling. At the boundary of the field, there is a line of trees and hedges, and the field above is sloping upwards up a hill.

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Freezing temperatures and a dusting of snow have not stopped people - and animals - from getting out and about in the region this week.

This gorgeously fluffy alpaca in a field near Cirencester was unsure about the snow on Wednesday morning.

And Christmas is definitely in the air, with preparations for events from lantern parades to carnivals already underway.

Here is a selection of pictures from across the West in our weekly round-up.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester standing with seven people from the Friends of Gloucester Cathedral, in a workshop with organ pipes stacked up vertically behind them

Royal tour: The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have been viewing progress on the new organ at Gloucester Cathedral.

A sculpture of Gromit with a woolly hat, from the TV series of Wallace and Gromit. A woman in a high-vis jacket is using a small pencil to add detail to Gromit's eye.

Gromit magic: From hand-painted silk to metal structures, new photographs released by Longleat show the work behind The Festival of Light lantern display. This year's theme is British Icons with Wallace & Gromit and Friends.

11 people stood in an outdoor setting with a man dressed up as Santa. Some are in high-vis jackets, others wear santa hats and several hold charity collection buckets.

Christmas saved: Devizes Lions had put out an urgent call-out for volunteers amid fears this year's Christmas Float might not go ahead in the town. Luckily, local people came out in their droves to offer their festive help which means Santa will return to Devizes.

Two people on an exercise bike wave at the camera and wear yellow bear ears. Next to them on a treadmill is Pudsey Bear, a giant yellow bear with an eye patch. He is doing a thumbs up.

Pudsey power: Staff and users at Wiltshire Council's leisure centres are having a much-needed rest after hundreds of people took part in the 'Challenge 25' fitness initiative in support of BBC Children in Need - with Pudsey himself joining in the fun.

A frosty outdoor setting with morning drew on grassy fields and thin tree branches by a river. The sun is starting to rise at some point.

A touch of frost: Ice scrapers at the ready, temperatures have dropped this week leading to some chilly mornings across Wiltshire. Thank you to BBC Weather Watcher Chully for this picture from Calne.

Jockeys and their horses jump over a hurdle, with debris flying around. The jockeys are wearing colourful uniform.

Horse races: James Best was captured riding Authoceltic on their way to winning The PricedUp The Jumps Novices' Handicap Chase at Wincanton Racecourse on 20 November.

Simon Boddy

Dazzling display: Wells City Carnival stunned the crowds once again last week, but organisers are already looking ahead to next year and advertising the date for 2026 - Friday 20 November.

Two cows are lying on green grass on a sunny hill.

Snoozing cows: Two Highland Cows enjoyed a nap in the sun in Rodney Stoke, Somerset, this week.

Five people from the network are joined by Gamba Cole standing in a warehouse by boxes of donations. There is yellow and white bunting in the background

Christmas appeal: The star of BBC's The Outlaws and Death In Paradise, and upcoming ITV thriller Betrayal, Gamba Cole, joined the team at Baby Bank Network Bristol this week, helping the charity launch this year's Big Give Christmas Challenge.

A field at dawn with a low sun creating long shadows of the few trees in view, over the frosty grass

Frosty scene: The freezing temperatures brought a widespread frost to many areas this week, with this snap captured in the early morning sunshine in Bristol.

In pictures: Snowy alpaca and Gromit lantern

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