THOUSANDS of people gathered at Andover town centre on Friday evening to witness Christmas lights switch-on and other events.

It was an electrifying atmosphere in the High Street and the Bridge Street as two stages hosted a variety of music and dance talents from Andover.

The stages hosted performances by Vigo School Choir, Portway Glee Club, Test Valley Brass Band, Andover Youth Dance Company, Andover College Singers, Mad Melodies, Andover Youth Choir and Andover Ladies Chor, Louise Vincent School of Dance, RASPO Steel Orchestra, Andover Rock Choir, Benjamin Williams, Lani Clayton, Matt Marshall, James Stretch, Lizzie Cullen, Jake Ward, Maddison A, Sam Rich, Kev Rees and Marie Ponting.

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The official Christmas lights switch-on was followed by a 360-degree laser show with music - the first-of-its-kind in Andover.

The events were organised by InAndover from Andover BID along with Test Valley Borough Council and Andover Town Council.

Many of the town centre shops stayed open, and there were festive stalls along Bridge Street.

Shops were decorated, while people rushed to take selfies near the giant Christmas tree in front of Guildhall.

Check out the gallery above to see all the best photos from the evening, taken by photographer Sarah Gaunt.