SNOW fell in Fordingbridge on Friday evening, but not the sort that shuts schools and stops buses running.

Beautiful flakes of the white stuff gracefully drifted from the town hall down to the festivities below, turning the scene into one reminiscent of a Christmas card.

Father Christmas arrived in the High Street on a horse and cart with an elf to help him, to the delight of the children.

Music filled the air as Hyde Junior Band played music and carols, the Roar Sextet Jazz band played in the Market Place, the Salvation Army Band in Round Hill, and St Mary’s hand bell ringers and choristers added their voices to the festive fun.

Mayor Malcolm Connolly said: “It went very, very well. The snow machine worked very well and it was an enormous hit with everybody.

“All the pubs and restaurants were full up and everybody was well behaved. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings we have had for a long time.”