THE sun may be shining and temperature soaring, but big plans are being made to turn Ringwood into a scene from Hogwarts' Hogsmeade Village for Christmas this year.

“Christmas in Ringwood will be back in a big way”, said Ringwood Town Council clerk Steve Nash.

Sponsorship, business backing and the town council's Lottery bid is hoped will transform the High Street into a magical winter wonderland, complete with Victorian lamps, Christmas trees and snow.

Santa will make his home in the Market Place on December 6, when the new Christmas lights will be switched on and a torchlight procession, choirs and mischievous elves will flood the town with Christmas magic for the all-day event.

Mr Nash said: “Ringwood will look like a scene from Harry Potter. We will have guaranteed snow, Victorian lamps and for the first time in years, the town council has invested and bought new Christmas lights.

“Motorists will see Christmas in Ringwood illuminating the A31. It is a time to engage with the whole community. It should be an exciting day.”

A Christmas tree will stand in the Market Place and outside the Gateway building.

Ringwood's Christmas Reindeer Parade, organised by the town's chamber of trade and commerce and a community fixture since 1991, came to an end in 2011, falling victim to the economic climate and a lack of resources to keep it going.

The town has made a number of attempts to revive the parade over the last three years, most notably when local businessman Jim Stride stepped in to save the festivities that year.