Crowds packed Romsey town centre on Friday night to witness the arrival of Father Christmas.

As usual his sleigh came a cropper and he found himself stranded on the first floor of the Town Hall.

Two fire engines, with blue lights flashing, rushed to his assistance.

Santa made a jittery descent to ground level on a fire service ladder while a fireighter lowered his sack of toys to the pavement on a rope.

None the worse for his ordeal,  the jolly bearded fellow was escorted to his grotto at Bradbeers where scores of children queued up to visit him.

Prior to Santa's arrival the crowds watched a parade of more than 300 lanterns.

This year’s parade had a panto theme with lanterns representing Aladdin, Cinderella, Puss in Boots and Jack and the Beanstalk among others.

It was led by Test Valley mayor Jan Lovell and Romsey Town mayor Peter Hurst along with Test Valley Brass and Mountbatten Community Choir.