THOUSANDS of people packed central Bournemouth as Santa led a parade ahead of an explosive Christmas lights display on Friday evening.

Starting shortly after 6pm at Horseshoe Common, Father Christmas, accompanied by fancy-dressed characters from hit film Frozen and hundreds of excited children, weaved his way down Old Christchurch Road and into the Square before arriving at the ice rink set up in Bournemouth Gardens.

See all the pictures from the Bournemouth parade in a gallery here

Traffic stopped and excited youngsters waved as the star attraction passed - with carols being sung by the Chicken Soup choir to get the town into the festive spirit.

The procession was run simultaneously with another starting at the Triangle, also headed to the Square, led by a host of pantomime stars.

Once the groups joined together at the gardens, Father Christmas enjoyed a dance on the ice before chatting with Wave 105’s Simon Clarke, telling the DJ he wanted the children to pray for his reindeer.

A spectacular pyrotechnics and lights display then surrounded the crowd before fireworks were launched high into the sky to mark the official switching-on of the town’s Christmas lights.

Among those in the crowd was Michael Bennnett, visiting from London with his two daughters Molly, six, and Sophie, four.

“They were so excited to see Father Christmas,” he said.

“We were taken by surprise a bit when the fireworks and Catherine wheels started up behind us – I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so big.

“They have had a great time – I think it’s been really magical for them.”

Natalie Moseley, 19, attended with a group of her friends from Bournemouth University and said she was impressed with the lights display.

She added: “It’s really cute seeing the kids having such a great time and being so excited about seeing Santa.”