CHRISTMAS events in East Hampshire have received a financial boost this year from the Welcome Back Fund.
The Welcome Back Fund has been developed by the government as part of its response to Covid-19.
It uses money from the European Regional Development Fund to support high streets and tourist attractions as they welcome back shoppers and visitors.
East Hampshire District Council has been distributing its share of the Welcome Back Fund cash to help provide bigger and better Christmas events while encouraging people to return to shopping on the high street to support local businesses in its towns.
In Alton the cash was used to add baby marmots to the town’s family of furry festive favourites. It was also spent on street entertainers, a calendar competition, window decorations and Christmas tree lights. Some went towards Christmas tree lights and other illuminations in Whitehill & Bordon and Grayshott.