BOURNEMOUTH’S Christmas Tree Wonderland has scooped a major national award after its first year of operation.

The attraction, which drew more than three million visitors to the town, has won the Best Event of the Year Award at the Association of Town and City Management Awards 2019.

The announcement was made in front of hundreds of town and city management professionals from across the UK and Ireland at a ceremony in London.

Launched in November last year, Christmas Tree Wonderland created a free trail of more than 100 dazzling trees and quickly established itself as the must-see winter attraction in the south.

A UK first, the project was delivered through an innovative partnership between the town’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and the council and won against strong competition.

The attraction included a 60ft walk-through tree decorated with 30,000 LED lights and created footfall of over 3.3million in the town centre over six weeks.

In addition to the town centre, the BIDs created magical experiences across the town and coastal villages of Westbourne, Southbourne and Boscombe.

Martin Davies, Bournemouth Town Centre BID chair, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for Bournemouth and a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through real partnership working. We dreamt big and made it happen – incredibly proud of our town.”

Paul Clarke, Coastal BID chairman, said: “Without a doubt Christmas Tree Wonderland well and truly put Bournemouth on the map as a year-round destination.”

David Bailey chairman of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Destination Management Board said: “In its first year Christmas Tree Wonderland has become a major player as a Christmas destination in the UK, boosting the town’s superb offer in a year that saw unprecedented visitor numbers, record-breaking media coverage and monumental new attractions in the South Coast resort.”

The wonderland runs alongside other festive attractions including ice skating and Santa’s Grotto.

Christmas Tree Wonderland will return on November 15 with some new features and will run until January 2. Go to christmastreewonderland.co.uk for more information.