THE countdown to Christmas is officially underway in two Hampshire towns as thousands gathered to watch the annual festive lights switch-on.

In Romsey the rain held off long enough for the 1,500 strong crowd to enjoy the annual carnival's parade of floats through the market town on Saturday evening.

This year saw 21 entries parade around the route with most reflecting the festive theme, before the lights were official switched on.

Daily Echo:

Judges awarded the overall winner title to the 2nd Romsey Rainbows (above) who dressed up as Christmas trees. The winner of the walking class was the 6th Romsey Brownies whilst the Jane Scarth House float was crowned winners of the motorised section.

Pete Lomer, spokesman for the carnival committee said: β€œIt went really well. We were very pleased that the rain held off. We had more entries this year than last and the standard of the floats was really very high.”

Daily Echo:

Just a few miles away in Eastleigh, Father Christmas himself turned out for the countdown to the big switch on of the town's lights.

He was joined by the Mayor, Cllr Tony Noyce, as the skies of Eastleigh were lit up by fireworks that rounded off a day of festive fun in the town.