IT’S been a weekend of festive fun across Dorset with communities turning out in their thousands to enjoy Christmas lights switch-ons – despite the weather cancelling some events.

Residents across the conurbation turned out to mark the beginning of the Christmas season at various events across Saturday and Sunday.

Wimborne Minster was among the first to hold its lights switch-on in the town centre, with hot food and carol singers giving residents something to cheer about.

The event started at 11am with a host of family entertainment from local music artists, such as the Dorset Youth Marching Band, filling the afternoon with positive vibes.

The Christmas tree was illuminated at 4.30pm to the delight of the crowd, before a firing performance by the Wimborne Militia at Minster Green closed proceedings.

However, not everyone was able to join in on the festive celebrations as two town events were cancelled amid concerns over Storm Arwen.

The New Milton Christmas Festival was due to take place on Saturday however the festivities were put on hold for the “safety” of all participants.

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Organisers hope the event will take place on Saturday, December 4, instead.

Similarly, the Christmas lights switch-on in Christchurch was cancelled.

Despite not being an official event, the Mayor of Christchurch was due to turn on the town's Christmas lights on Saturday.

In Swanage, residents enjoyed a full day of celebration on Saturday with live music and a raffle among the offerings for the town’s lights switch-on.

Sunday was a busy day in Hampshire with a town switch-on ceremony and the return of a legendary community event. Ringwood hosted its ‘Winter Wanderland event’ all day on Sunday across the town centre, while residents in New Milton were treated to the returning Byron Road Christmas lights switch-on.

The event has been dubbed Britain's most festive street because of the celebrity endorsed switch-on.

Soap-star Michelle Collins was advertised for the event which returned after being scrapped in 2019.