THE FESTIVE season has officially started in Dorchester with the annual Christmas lights switch on in Brewery Square.

But there was more than just lights to draw the crowds to the packed-out event, which took place on Saturday.

Live music, entertainment and dance performances provided the perfect soundtrack as revellers got their skates on for the return of Dorchester's 'Skating In The Square' 'ice' rink. The rink will now be at Brewery Square until January.

Charlotte Spracklen, centre manager at Brewery Square, said: "It was brilliant – manic but really great.

"There were hundreds, if not thousands of people there – as well as people at the event the restaurants nearby were packed too.

"New for this year we had performances from Ethereal with a fire and hoop display, and The Breaching Space performing dressed as elves.

"Nina Garcia, a Dorchester-based signer, also performed her newly-released Christmas single, 'Love Lane'."

Also at the event were Weymouth Concert Brass, Ze Trio and Bovington Military Wives Choir.

There will be two events held in Dorchester every week during December.

There's more festive fun this week as the annual Dorchester Christmas Cracker is held this Thursday, which will see Christmas lights in the town centre being switched on, as well as a Cracker Lantern parade starting from 6pm at Brewery Square.

Then on Saturday December 7 a Christmas Dog Parade is being held at Brewery Square from 2pm-3pm - all dogs in festive fancy dress are invited to take part.

For more information visit brewerysquare.com or search for '@BrewerySquare' on Facebook.

To book ice skating visit skatinginthesquare.co.uk