Storm Bert halts Christmas lights switch-ons

A number of Christmas lights switch-on events have been cancelled as Storm Bert is set to reach the south of England on Saturday.

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to sweep in with yellow Met Office warnings in place.

Festive events, many with parades and performances, have been called off across Hampshire and Dorset including Romsey, New Milton and Dorchester.

Torrential rain is expected throughout most of Saturday along with gusts of 40-60mph (65-96km/h).

Most organisers of cancelled events said although no live switch-ons would be taking place due to the weather, their Christmas lights would still be turned on over the weekend.

Brewery Square, the organisers behind Dorchester's switch on, said: "This decision wasn't made lightly and we have been holding on to hope, but we need to prioritise the safety of our performers, suppliers and visitors.

"With conditions like this, it simply wouldn't be the magical evening we all envisioned!"

The Dorchester Christmas Market is still going ahead.

Christchurch Town Council said it was "incredibly disappointed" to have to cancel the planned switch-on of the lights in the town.

“Severe weather conditions predicted for Saturday would make hosting the event unsafe, but we look forward to welcoming everyone back for an even bigger and better event next year,” said Simon McCormack, chairman of the town's Christmas working group.

Alan Watson, of the Lions Club of New Milton, said the risk of staging the Hampshire town's Christmas Festival and Parade was "too great".

The annual event attracts up to 7,000 people, with 80 market stalls and a parade through the town.

"An awful lot goes into it - it's more frustrating for the people of New Milton who look forward to it every year, it's even more of a disappointment for the children," he added.

Portsmouth's We Shine lights arts festival, which is being held at venues throughout the city, has also cancelled its outdoor installations for Saturday night. Organisers said the indoor ones would still go ahead.

In Maidenhead, Berkshire, the fireworks element of the town's Christmas lights switch-on event have been cancelled and the outside market, music and performances have been moved into the town hall.

Wokingham Lions Club also announced the town's Winter Carnival would not go ahead.

A statement said: "We realise that this is disappointing not only for those who were looking forward to attending the event, but also for the many charities and voluntary organisations who would have used the event to raise funds."

A yellow warning for rain is in place from Saturday at 06:00 GMT until 23:45 on Sunday.

A yellow warning for wind runs from 15:00 on Saturday to 21:00 Sunday.

Significant disruption is likely over the weekend with people being urged to check events for cancellations and road closures or delays to public transport before setting out.

Correction 4 December: This article was amended after a previous version wrongly stated Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council cancelled the Christmas lights switch-on in Christchurch. It was actually Christchurch Town Council.

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