HUNDREDS of families soaked up the festive cheer at the Christchurch Christmas lights switch-on yesterday evening.

Excited youngsters lined the highstreet to watch Santa and his reindeer arrive ahead of the big countdown while choirs entertained the crowds with a variety of festive favourites.

Linda Huxter, who attended the event with her family, said: “I live in Poole and we come here every year. The atmosphere is fantastic. It’s so nice that the community all comes together.”

She added: “Last year it was really cold but this year the weather is perfect and there’s so much to see.”

See all the pictures from Christchurch Christmas Festival in a gallery here

Her 6-year-old niece Mollie said she was having a great time.

“The best part is seeing Santa,” she said.

Stallholders served up a variety of treats throughout the day as thousands of people came to the borough to take part in the celebrations.

Zina Roworth, a member of the Christchurch Christmas Festival Committee (CIC), which organises the event, said this year’s festival had been a huge success.

She said: “We had over 230 performers, all free of charge, come out to entertain everybody throughout the day. It’s been magic.”

The mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Denise Jones, said the festival, which is now in its 16th year, was one of the highlights of the year for the borough.

She said: “Volunteers have worked really hard to make it a real success. It’s great that we have got this community interest group to look after the Christmas lights.”

She added: “Everybody really gets into the spirit of it. It’s what Christmas is all about.”