The festive season started in style when Basingstoke’s Christmas lights were switched on.
BAFTA award-winning actress Wendy Craig did the honours in front of thousands of revellers on Friday.
The event happened at Festival Place, and was hosted by TV wine expert Olly Smith.
The evening started at 5.30pm with Father Christmas leading a procession of music, dancers and floats from Bedford Square.
The parade was joined by members of Basingstoke Rock Choir and dancers from the Basingstoke Academy of Dance.
The costumed parade then worked its way to Festival Square for the big switch on.
The all-star show included rowing hero Dave Holby following behind Wendy on a float.
He said: “I was so delighted to be invited along for the procession. To be involved in it was a real honour and really touching.”
Dressed as a pirate, Mr Holby had to break down his well-used rowing machine to fit on the 5ft float.
He said: “I though I would have to row on the float during the procession so to find the machine was a bit too big was a relief and it was nice just to be part of it and take it all in.”
He was surrounded by dancers dressed as water nymphs - who the rower said were one the highlights of the evening.
“The whole team of dancers around the float were fantastic and they put on a great show for all the people who turned out to watch.
“They were one of the best parts of the evening, though personally getting the chance to give Pudsey a cuddle was pretty good, the big furry softie that he is.”
Following the switch on in Festival Square, the night sky was lit up with a fireworks display.
Mr Holby said: “It was brilliantly organised. It is always going to be a difficult thing to get right, considering bonfire night was only a few days before, people are probably unsure what to expect.
“But they looked fantastic and it all worked out really well. The town was done proud.”
Wine guru Olly Smith had been in the town earlier to promote his new book, Eat and Drink – Good Food that is Great to Drink With.
Fans had queued up in Marks and Spencer to get their signed copy.
Fan, Melissa Pye, 30, said: “I am a big fan of Olly and watch him on TV all the time. I also follow him on twitter and had to come and see him when I knew he was coming to sign his new book.”
