A Christmas tree and festive decorations will light up Saxon Square.

ICM Chairman Dr Alistair Somerville Ford is proud to be the principal sponsor of the upcoming Christchurch Christmas Festival and lights switch-on – the home of the Institute’s UK head office.

Due to Dr Somerville Ford’s generous sponsorship package, Father Christmas will arrive at the event on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, and families will have the opportunity to win a free trip to Lapland for a family of four – in conjunction with WAVE 105FM.

The Festival is set to take place on 1 December – the first time it has been held on a Saturday. Christchurch’s residents and visitors will be treated to a host of special events, including a Christmas market offering market food, drink and gift stalls, and a Christmas Fayre in the Priory.

Children will have the chance to pet and feed the reindeer at the Christchurch Christmas Festival.

The Mayor, Cllr Josephine Spencer, will turn the Christmas lights on at 4.30pm, after the reindeer and Father Christmas have paraded through the town and joined her on the balcony of the Mayor’s Parlour in the High Street.

Following the switch-on, the reindeer will pull Father Christmas in his sleigh to the Priory, where he will be available to listen to Christmas wishes. Children will also be able to pet and feed the reindeer who will be in a special pen outside the Priory from 5pm to 6.30pm.

Paul Riley, Chairman of the Christchurch Christmas Festival Committee, is grateful for Dr Somerville Ford’s donation: “Alistair’s kind contribution has enabled the Festival to continue to evolve and grow. Without it we would not have been able to have the wide range of attractions we will be offering and that would affect the number of visitors coming into the town and the ‘feel good’ factor on the night, so it really is most important and very much appreciated by the Festival Organising Committee.”

By Natasha Piscitelli