IT'S official - Christmas has arrived in Southampton as the festive lights went on at the Marlands Shopping Centre tonight.

And Cinderella and Prince Charming from the Mayflower Theatre's pantomime were on hand to add some magic.

Before the panto pair, played by Kathryn Rooney and Chris Ellis-Stanton, turned on the lights in front of hundreds of onlookers, they hosted a tea party for children dressed as little princes and princesses and awarded a prize to the best dressed.

The audience were also entertained by youngsters from Mayflower Youth Theatre who sang carols at the event compared by Heart Radio's Dan Mills.