FATHER Christmas, Snow White and hundreds of families turned out to watch the Christmas lights being switched on in Weymouth.

Crowds gathered throughout the day at the staging area in New Bond Street on Saturday to watch performances from Punch and Judy and local dance troupes.

It was organised by the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce in association with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and this year extended to an all day event to boost town trade and provide fun for families.

A choir from St Nicholas and St Laurence School entertained the crowds with renditions of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Jingle Bells as the temperature dropped and the daylight faded.

Father Christmas arrived in his sledge along with a vintage car procession, which had started at the Pavilion. Santa was joined by Snow White pantomime stars Charlotte Steen, Sarah Aveling and Weymouth Carnival Queen Lucy Compton.

The crowds joined in a countdown to the light switch on, then Father Christmas handed out sweets to the children.

Santa said: “It was absolutely wonderful to see so many people in Weymouth on what was a rather cold afternoon.”

Sarah Aveling will be playing the wicked witch and evil stepmother in the Pavilion’s Christmas panto.

She said: “It was a huge privilege to help turn on the lights. It was really nice, especially because the crowds were there.

“I feel very privileged. It feels like Christmas is really starting now.”

Some lucky children also got to meet Father Christmas.

Jessica King’s son Sampson, aged three, met Santa and was given two chocolates.

She said: “It was really lovely to see him and the lights switch on. It was really nice.”

Weymouth resident Chris Watts brought her friend Sylvia Martin to see the lights.

She said: “I come down most years. It’s nice to see the children singing. It gets you in the Christmas spirit, everyone getting together.”

Countdown begins

DORCHESTER’S Christmas countdown will get underway on Thursday helped by an expert from Antiques Roadshow.

Eric Knowles will be switching on the lights at 6.30pm as part of the town’s Christmas Cracker.

Weymouth panto star, Lee Latchford-Evans, a member of pop band Steps, was due to turn on the lights but had to pull out due to the band reforming.

Mr Knowles will also be giving a talk at the Corn Exchange in the county town on the same day and will be signing his book at Waterstone’s bookshop in South Street between 2.30pm and 5pm.