It might have been a chilly evening, but that didn’t deter the Petersfield community from gathering for an annual festive event.

This year’s Petersfield Christmas lights switch-on saw hundreds of people gather in The Square to see the town light up in the festive spirit.

Shine Radio’s Claire Vennis and Joff from the P Pod played hosts for the night and local schools, choirs, singers and theatre groups took to the stage to delight the crowds with their voices.

Volunteers were also working hard to collect some funds towards the Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal.

Then it came time for the big moment, Petersfield Personality of the Year Astrid the Viking joined mayor Cllr Lesley Farrow and Claire to lead the crowd in a countdown to the switch-on.

Trees around The Square were lit up in a multitude of colours, the town’s Christmas tree was its own centrepiece and the High Street became a magical place to take a stroll.