The national news might be downbeat but the people of Wimborne were in an upbeat mood as they filled the streets to greet this year’s Save the Children Christmas parade on 11 December.

The participants were full of Christmas cheer too with the organisers pleased to report that there were around 40 floats – including to the delight of several little boys – a number of tractors.

There were also attractions in the square to entertain both children and adults and the great pudding stir took place at the Museum of East Dorset.