CELEBRATIONS in Ringwood this year will see the town graced with a Christmas Market and two festive trees.

Organised by the recently reformed Ringwood Events Committee, the Christmas Market will feature stalls providing a wide range of festive gifts and delicacies from 10am to 6pm.

A large 18ft tree has gone up in the Gateway, funded by the Ringwood Town Council, while a smaller tree donated by event sponsors has been placed in the Market Place, where Saturday's festive event takes place.

Cllr Tony Ring, who is a member of the events committee, said: "It is going to be a fantastic event which we have organised with the support of the council.

"We have every confidence it will successful for the people of Ringwood."

Santa will be in attendance in his grotto from 10am to 3pm, with children having the opportunity to meet Father Christmas and receive a gift for £3.

From 4pm a Father Christmas Parade will take place followed by the lights switch-on ceremony for both trees and the festive lights throughout the town at 4.30pm.

Free parking will be available in all New Forest District Council car parks, in support of Small Business Saturday.

The Ringwood Events Committee put on the highly successful Ringwood Fireworks display earlier this month, which was attended by around 3,800 people.