The sunshine brought the Weymouth community out in their droves for the annual Wyke Square Christmas Fayre.

The street fayre is based around Wyke Square and Chamberlaine Road and attracts flocks of visitors each year.

Mulled wine and festive treats and were all on offer to satiate the crowds as they browsed local artisan food and craft stalls.

The festive event, which launched in 2008 as a platform to give local businesses a boost and local charities an extra opportunity to fundraise, is one of the area’s biggest Christmas celebrations.

Among the fundraisers were Weymouth based community group, the Ladies in Wey-ting who had a tombola, raffle and 'play your cards right' game to raise money for the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal and the Freedom Boat.

Group member, Sue-Jane Smith said: "The Fayre opened at 12pm and we are hoping it will get busier and busier throughout the day. It's always a good opportunity for us to fund raise and we normally manage to raise between three and four hundred pounds."

She added she hoped this year would be busier than ever.

More than 40 stalls popped up this year both in the streets and in the memorial hall, including artist group Artwey and award-winning food producers.

Manning one stall was Clare Gerrie-Smith, main leader of Wyke First Girl Guides who was raising funds to take six girls away on a special trip.

"We're raising funds to take six of our guides to 'Wellies and Wristbands', a festival specifically for girl guides," she said.

To raise the funds, Clare was selling arts and crafts made by the guides and for the first year, held a tombola.

There was live music from children from Wyke Regis Primary School Federation Choir, Weymouth Operatic Society and the Wyke Ukedelics ukelele band.

Father Christmas also made an appearance, meeting and greeting families in his grotto and judging the children's fancy dress competition later in the afternoon.

In the memorial hall, volunteers were busy selling raffle tickets in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare.

Volunteer Annette Sharpe said: "We've been coming to Wyke Fayre since it started. All the volunteers contribute hampers for the raffle prizes and we normally make around £700 for Weldmar."