THOUSANDS of people flocked to Alton town centre on Sunday for the annual Yuletide Festival.

Enhanced this year by an ice rink, offering free skating in the Market Square, the event saw bumper crowds with visitors able to browse hundreds of charity, craft and market stalls lining the High Street, packed into the Assembly Rooms and into the Community Centre, where the ACA ‘Christmas Cracker’ event played host also to Santa in his Grotto and his special Christmas Post Box.

There was on-street entertainment, fair rides, an opportunity to try your hand at games of chance, enjoy a wealth of festive food, select a real Christmas tree and amazing decorations, and indulge in some fun Christmas shopping.

Taking to the stage in the High Street were the children from St Mary’s Bentworth Primary School, the Kings Pond Shanty Men, Hampshire Youth Orchestra and Surrey Ukeaholics, with music by the Salvation Army Band and Alton Concert Band at the bottom of Turk Street and Market Street.

Hannah Birtwell delighted those inside the Assembly Rooms, while singing around the ‘Christmas Hat’ on the Assembly Rooms lawn were children from Wootey Junior School, Chawton Primary School, Strictly Showtime, Medstead Primary School and Eggar’s School.

Commenting on the event, Alton Town Mayor, Cllr Derek Gardner, said: “What a fantastic turn-out for the Yuletide weekend.

“It was great to see so many families enjoying the free ice skating and people taking part in Saturday’s Santa Run. Thank you to all our sponsors, stallholders, performers, volunteers and most of all to everyone who came along.

“On behalf of Alton Town Council we hope you all enjoyed the weekend and we will see you all again next year. Merry Christmas.”

The mayor enjoyed his morning visiting and chatting to stallholders before presenting a bottle of bubbly to Susan Barnard, of Crafty Barnard, who was selling a colourful range of handmade bespoke bags, personalised bunting, phone covers and tablet covers.

The event was organised by Alton Town Council and sponsored by SpecSavers, Everyone Active, PJ Grace, Homes estate agents, Brendon Care and Kemp and Stevens.