WEYMOUTH kicked off the festive season with an attempt to beat the current world-record elf gathering attempt at the turning on of the town's Christmas lights.

The event was hosted by We Are Weymouth as crowds gathered in New Bond Street on Saturday despite the strong winds caused by Storm Arwen - in a bid to beat the current world record of 1,762.

The count is finally in and event organisers have revealed the attempt by the Weymouth public did not beat the world record as only 1,047 elves were present in Weymouth town centre for the gathering.

READ MORE: Photos: Weymouth's Christmas lights switch-on as crowds gather for elf world record attempt

A spokeswoman from We Are Weymouth, said: "The number we have back is 1,047 elf appearances.

"Sadly, not enough to break the record but we’ve got lots to go to Guinness World Record with next year."

The gathering of hundreds of elves around the Christmas tree led by cllr Colin Huckle, Mayor of Weymouth.

Cllr Huckle was joined in Santa’s sleigh by deputy mayor cllr Ann Weaving, Dawn Rondeau COO of We Are Weymouth and a very special guest, Josie Gibson from ITV’s This Morning.

READ MORE: Elves-gathering event in New Bond Street, Weymouth to feature on ITV's This Morning

Ms Gibson and a film crew were escorted throughout the town by the We Are Weymouth team, all for a feature on Weymouth’s Elf World Record Attempt.

This year, locals, visitors, and businesses across Weymouth came together to embrace the Elf World Record Attempt - dressing up all and everything to get into the Christmas spirit.

We Are Weymouth plan to make this an annual event, inviting Guinness World Record to adjudicate in 2022.

The spokeswoman added: "The record still stands at 1,762 so we weren’t too far off, but next year will be massive."