The Christchurch Royal British Legion Band helped the residents of Poole get into the Christmas spirit on Sunday 15

November by leading the Annual Poole Santa Parade.

A spokesman for the band said, "This is the first year we have been asked to take part in this parade and we are really happy to be here. There is such a lovely atmosphere and to be asked to lead the parade is wonderful".

The band did not wear their signature plumed hats but instead, for this occassion donned a variety of festive headgear.

Santa arrived courtesy of the

RNLI Lifeboat, this year accompanied by star of Sky One’s Gladiators,

Atlas, and Fire FM’s Dave Taylor.

The festivities started

at 10.15am when Royal British Legion Band played a variety of Carols to the waiting crowd before leading the parade towards Falkland Square, where they performed a short concert of carols and some rousing military marches.

Santa arrived at the Custom House steps to be

greeted by the Mayor of Poole, Charles Meachin.

The official

Town Crier David Squire walked ahead of the Christchurch British Legion Band on his traditional route

through the High Street towards the Dolphin Shopping Centre.

Plenty of other entertainment was on offer with Christmas characters and stilt walkers, song and dance

led by Miss Christmas and the Christmas children, plus the Dolphin

Marching Band.

Santa carried his

Christmas cheer to the Dolphin Shopping Centre and took up

residence in his new ice cave grotto.

For the first time, the event attracted a special visit

from two arctic visitors. An incredibly realistic life-size adult male

Polar Bear and  a beautiful, fully animated, pod puppet.

A completely new Christmas decoration and

lighting scheme awaits Dolphin Shopping Centre and parade visitors this

year. Santa is now housed in his new ice cave grotto with a five-metre

high Christmas tree, featuring a fully animated elf display, surrounded

by traditional festive features.

Giant five-metre, illuminated,

holly rings and decorations complemented by twinkling fairy lights will

deck the main halls among berry cluster suspensions, six-metre drop

light chain curtains and spiral twist light nets.

Stephanie

Lacey, Dolphin Shopping Centre Manager, commented: “The annual Santa

Parade has become an important fixture on Poole’s calendar and this

year’s event promises to be a great day for all the family. The

shopping centre is delighted to host this event and to be able to offer

Santa a new grotto this season, surrounded by a beautiful decoration

scheme.”