A SPELLBINDING shroud of silver “snowflakes” poured from the heavens last night as Southampton ushered in its very own winter wonderland.

The artificial Arctic-inspired blast in Southampton’s Marlands Shopping Centre was the climax of three separate Christmas lights switch-ons across the city centre watched by hundreds of families.

Young and old cheered as lovable mascot Tatty Teddy flicked a switch to illuminate the shopping centre, which this year boasts a nostalgic Edwardian theme.

Southampton Sherriff Sue Blatchford, Town Crier John Melody, Heart FM presenter Zoe Hanson and Father Christmas also took to the stage, while the Salvation Army Band and entertainers Scrooge and Scratch whipped up the crowd.

Earlier Sheriff Sue and r&b band Concept took to the mic at WestQuay Shopping Centre, where a collection of huge Christmas tree-shaped mobiles lit up the main atrium.

Southampton mayor Cllr Ivan White officially opened the city’s Christmas Market in Above Bar Street, leading the countdown to illuminate the street’s 20ft tall Christmas tree. The market features 40 stalls boasting an international theme with an array of gifts and scrumptious food from around the globe, including German bratwurst and Morrocan bags and fabrics.

Meanwhile the lights went on with a bang in Winchester as fireworks lit up the night sky above the King Alfred statue on the Broadway.

More than 6,000 people crammed into the city centre to see 25,000 sparkling white lights illuminating the High Street.

X-Factor singer Tom Mann, from Chandler’s Ford, took to the stage, joined by Snow White and Dame Dolly from the Theatre Royal’s Christmas panto and the mayor of Winchester looking festive in his red and white robes.

Jared Prior, eight, from Harestock Primary School, won the prize of best dressed Wise Man or most inventive use of tinsel and was plucked from the crowd to switch on the lights.