FORDINGBRIDGE will be full of festive spirit this evening (Friday).

Christmas in Fordingbridge takes place from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.

Nicky Jenkins, chairman of Fordingbridge Events Group, said: “This year, we are trying something different with two music stages in the town, The Jackson stage near Jacksons Solicitors in Provost Street, which will be a choir stage and the PDQ Airspares live music stage at Bank Corner. We will also have a procession of Santa through the town in a carriage pulled by heavy horse to his relocated grotto in the Victoria Rooms.

“Throughout the evening, there will be a range of activities for all ages happening across the town. All activities put on by our group throughout the evening will be free. Our aim is to use the proceeds from the Fordingbridge Festival to put on a Christmas community event to remember."

She added: “The night looks like it will be a tremendous success and we are still planning extra activities but we couldn’t have done it without the help of our Christmas sponsors, Timothy’s, The Burgate School, PDQ Airspares and Jacksons Solicitors; the festival sponsors and the support from the town.”

The town will be closed off to traffic from 5.30pm and activities will take place throughout the evening.

The event starts with a performance from Fordingbridge Infants and Junior Schools Choir on the Jackson stage followed by the officially opening of the event at 6pm.Santa’s grotto will open from 6.45pm-8.45pm. There will be live music throughout the evening.

For further details go to fordingbridgechristmas.com