HUNDREDS braved the wind and rain to celebrate the turning on of the Christmas lights in Weymouth. 

On Saturday, November 26 many gathered around the stage on New Bond Street in Weymouth for the grand ceremony of the switching on of the eagerly-anticipated lights. 

At 5:12 in the evening, three minutes earlier than originally scheduled, the crowd joined in with the countdown in anticipation of the big switch-on. 

After the ten-to-one countdown, the plunger was pressed, and festive-themed illuminations lit up the square and the surrounding streets.

The enormous Christmas tree next to the White Hart Tavern proved to be a spectacle with lights wrapped around it from top to bottom, while Pete the Elf also glowed and proved popular among many who attended. 

Dawn Rondeau, chief operations officer at We Are Weymouth reflected on the day, she said: "The whole point of today is to give people a great time and but to also bring people in their droves to Weymouth. 

"I think we can evidence that every single pub, cafe or shop was bulging today. Despite the fact that it was pouring with rain, I think everybody would say that they had a good time. 

"The point of a Business Improvement District is to bring footfall to the town and I think we can say we have been successful with that." 

It was an action-packed event with festive workshops and live entertainment taking up much of the day. Several car parks became free of charge to encourage as many people as possible to attend, while some shoppers extended their opening hours for late-night buyers.

Elves could be spotted around the town as the team at We Are Weymouth attempted to break a world record for the largest gathering of elves. The record currently stands at 1762 elves in Thailand set in 2014. 

When asked how close they were to breaking the record this year Dawn said: "I'll be honest I don't think so this year because of the fact of the weather, but it is what it is. 

"People have been registering between 3-5. My gut feeling is we have probably got around 1000 people.

"But everybody has had a great time and we have had some great feedback."

The Echo will have a full gallery of the event online as well as the paper version. 

If you have a photo from the event you would like to include email it to us at newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk