There was no Christmas Extravaganza event by the Rotary Club of Verwood to officially switch on the Verwood Christmas Lights this year.

There was sadly no mini fairground, steam locomotive rides, mulled wine, Father Christmas or Forest FM roadshow.

Instead, due to the ongoing coronavirus situation, a number of lights quietly appeared this week to the humbled relief of Verwood residents.

A modest Merry Christmas sign has appeared near the war memorial, with a few surrounding trees and lamp posts also getting decorations.

And as we took the photos around sunset on the day lockdown 2 officially ended, we see businesses such as Costa and Champion Barbers welcoming customers back inside their stores.

If you have any photos of houses or businesses in Verwood who have made an extra effort this year, please email them to news@verwoodtoday.co.uk and we’ll share them here.