THOUSANDS of people turned out for Odiham’s annual Christmas shopping event.

This year’s Odiham Extravaganza saw stalls and fairground rides line a closed High Street in a bid to boost trade for shop owners in the village.

Organisers believe around 7,000 people came to join in the fun, with many dining and drinking in the village’s restaurants and pubs.

Cast members from Cinderella, which will be performed this year at The Harlington Centre in Fleet, switched on the village’s Christmas tree lights.

This year’s event had, for the first time, two stages for live performances from local singers and musicians.

Other attractions included a large Ferris wheel, treats including candy floss and roasted chestnuts, and a petting zoo from Andwell-based Miller’s Ark Animals.

The event was organised by InOdiham, a not-for-profit group of business owners in the village who took inspiration from retail guru Mary Portas.

Chairman Francis Howard said: “It went really well. There were more stalls this year, a better range of acts and people loved the traditional rides. There were lots of families and youngsters who stayed out.

“We had a lot of support from all the businesses, and we have had a lot of really nice comments from local people about it.”