THOUSANDS of people flocked to a Hampshire town to experience Christmas with a difference.

More than 3,000 festive Fareham residents flocked to the town centre last night to see a giant spread a bit of Christmas cheer.

The family-friendly fun started at 4pm in West Street. with activities including face painting, street entertainers, arts and crafts and a stilt-walking Jack Frost band.

John the Winter Giant then woke up at 5.30pm outside Westbury Manor Museum and begin his journey through Fareham town centre, telling classic Christmas stories before the mayor and mayoress of Fareham, Councillor Geoff Fazackarley and his wife Tina, switched on the Christmas lights at 6.30pm.

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: It was fantastic to see thousands of young people and the young at heart enjoying a fantastic event.

“It undoubtedly has benefited the Fareham economy.”

Annabel Cook, head of combined arts at Hampshire Cultural Trust, which helped to organise the event along with the council added: “We were thrilled to be a part of this exciting new take on the Fareham Christmas lights switch-on.

“With hundreds of residents showing interest in the event, we were proud to see the crowd’s reaction when they saw John and heard his story. It really captured the spirit of Christmas.”

It’s the first time the switch-on has been held on a Friday, having been held on a Sun-

day.