FAMILIES lined the streets of Wareham to say hello to Father Christmas during the annual Christmas parade.

Carols were performed as crowds eagerly awaited the arrival of the parade last night, with different versus sung by children and adults as residents cheered on the start of the procession.

Led by the Ringwood Pipe Band, the parade this year was made up of a number of different groups - both local to the town and from further afield - which gathered at North Street ready for the off.

There were street collectors dressed as snowmen, Morris dancers and a vast array of elves.

Large floats containing singers and dancers clad in flashing fairy lights lit the way for the rest of the parade through the historic streets.

The event has long been one of the main highlights of the year for the town and draws in hundreds of visitors each year.