THERE was plenty of festive family fun in Tidworth and Ludgershall last weekend.

Santa's reindeer returned to Tidworth on Saturday, 2 December, where there were fairground rides, craft stalls and a hog roast.

Father Christmas welcomed children into his grotto throughout the afternoon before everyone joined together for carols around the Christmas tree outside the community centre, in Wylye Road, as night fell.

Mayor of Tidworth Town Council, Councillor Mark Connolly, said: "The Tidworth Christmas event was a great success.

"It was wonderful to see so many children enjoying themselves on the rides and craft activities. Father Christmas was pleased to come to Tidworth early, along with two of his reindeers."

On the same afternoon, Santa arrived in Ludgershall on his sleigh before the switching-on of the town's Christmas lights at the Memorial Hall, in Andover Road, at 4.15pm.

Castle Primary School choir and the Rock Choir provided entertained the visitors while they enjoyed burgers, hotdogs, chestnuts and mulled wine outside the hall and craft stalls inside.

Mayor of Tidworth Town Council, Councillor Mike Giles, said: "The event was a resounding success, Santa's grotto did a raging trade and it was nice to see so many families out and about and the expectation on the children's faces.

"We would like to thank 26 Engineer Regiment once again for supplying the tents required for the outside stalls."