A TV personality has praised the ‘friendly’ community of Weymouth as she visited the town during their Christmas lights switch-on.

Josie Gibson, a TV presenter for This Morning, featured in the town’s festive celebrations and play her part in a world record attempt for the most elves on Saturday afternoon (November 27)

Storm Arwen didn't dampen the spirits of the celebrations as hundreds turned out to be part of the fun on New Bond Street – many dressed in elf hats and costumes as part of the town’s world-record elf gathering attempt.

Weymouth BID asked residents to dress up for the festivities in the hope of getting more than 2,000 ‘elves’ together in one spot to beat the current Guinness World Record of 1,790. It’s not yet known if the attempt was a success.

Dorset Echo: Big Brother winner Josie Gibson was happy to pose with fans. Picture: Finnbarr WebsterBig Brother winner Josie Gibson was happy to pose with fans. Picture: Finnbarr Webster

Big Brother winner Josie Gibson arrived dressed in an elf costume and addressed the crowd as she helped the Christmas lights switch-on at 4pm.

Mrs Gibson commented the elves looked ‘absolutely amazing’ and felt ‘confident’ the world record had been broken.

Speaking to Dorset Echo afterwards, she praised the ‘friendly’ and ‘lovely’ community of Weymouth who gathered to kick off the festive season.

She said: “It was great to be a part of this attempt and do something fun after the year or so we have all had.

“There were so many people who came out looking great as elves and having a load of fun.

Dorset Echo:

“It is amazing to see the lovely people come out for this attempt to get more than 2,000 elves in one place and I think we’ve smashed it.

“Weymouth is such a lovely town and the people are so great here.”

Mrs Gibson filmed a segment with This Morning after the lights switch-on where she spoke to various members of the public and posed with St Johns Ambulance workers.

In between takes she happily spoke to fans and posed for photos and selfies.

Sadly it was only a flying visit to the seaside town for the Big Brother winner, who travelled back up to Bristol to see her family.

But she hoped to return to Weymouth next year with her family.

She said: “I have been to Weymouth a few times before with my family when I was younger. It’s a really lovely town and I will definitely be coming here again.”

The lights were switched on at 4pm, following a day of workshops and activities in the town, with revellers treated to live musical performances and entertainments to kick off the festive season.