A POPULAR road in Poole once again drew in the crowds with its annual charity fundraising Christmas lights switch-on.

Children could be heard giggling as they waved their glow sticks and bounced impatiently before Runton Road neighbours counted down from 10 moments before 5.30pm last night.

In Pictures: Runton Road lights switched on

The popular annual event, now in its 27th year, attracts hundreds of people and in 2012 five million people witnessed the big switch on when the street was featured on BBC's The One Show. 

Bournemouth Echo:

One of the residents Mick Philips, who has lived in the cul-de-sac for 29 years, said: "The kids love it. That's how it all started - it was all for the kids. It was only about eight years ago we lost our neighbour - George Schuller - to cancer and we decided to start collecting for charity. It's just gone on from there.

"It's only in the last five or six years it's gone as big as this!"

Buckets went around to take donations for the chosen charities which this year are Julia's House and Forest Holme Hospice - where Mr Schuller was treated.

Money raised will also help seven-year-old Mason White who has Epidermolysis Bullosa and Olly Reid who has severe cerebral palsy and is in need of a new sensory hut.

Last year residents raised an incredible £8,500 for charity.

Mr Philips said he spends around £40-50 every years in electric bills to keep his house lit for families to see throughout December.

Bournemouth Echo:

"The money doesn't come into it," he said. "When you see the amount of people come up and hear them waiting for the switch-on, especially when it's a really horrible night; we're privileged to do it."

Mr Philips said the most popular night - even beyond the switch-on - is Christmas Eve when people descend in large numbers for a festive street party.

Last year around 2,500 people turned out, Mr Philips said, for some minced pies, sausage rolls and mulled wine and partied until about 10pm.

It was the usual chaotic scene before the 5.30pm deadline as cars drove up the hill to drop off their children, seeing cars backed up all the way down the hill.

Bournemouth Echo:

"It does cause real problems," Mick added. "Leave the cars down the bottom of the road and walk up."

Shortly after the lights came on, elves donning pom-poms entertained the crowds by dancing to Christmas carols.

Karina Dominey was there with her twins Lincoln and Morgan - who turn two on Friday  - and her husband Shaun.

"We come here every year," she said. "We first came here three years ago and my dad used to bring us up when we were younger. As soon as I had these two I thought I had to bring us back up here."