CHRISTMAS arrived in Basingstoke on Friday when the festive lights were switched on in the town centre.

Festive Place, which has been renamed for the festive period, marked the official start of Christmas with the annual switch-on in Festival Square.

Hundreds of people turned out for the popular event, which saw The Anvil pantomime star Mark Little – best known for playing Joe Mangle in Neighbours – lead the countdown to the switch-on, along with Santa.

A five-minute fireworks and laser display wowed the crowds and a host of acts took to the stage to entertain the audience.

Breeze FM’s breakfast presenters Ben Moseby and Lizzie Crow hosted the show, which included performances from The Military Wives Choir, made famous by Gareth Malone’s original BBC television series The Choir, who sang a mixture of traditional Christmas carols and festive songs.

Walk like a Man – a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons – sang a range of hits from the West End show The Jersey Boys.

Steven Connolly, Festive Place centre director, said: “It was a very good start to Christmas.

“The light switch-on is a real family occasion and it was great to see so many happy faces.”

The shopping centre has a programme of events planned in the run-up to Christmas, including its annual Santa Parade, which will take place on Sunday, December 6.

Father Christmas will march through the town with his festive friends, including Elsa from the Disney hit film Frozen.