From local footballing legend Matt le Tissier to national boxing hero Frank Bruno - the North Star wasn’t the only one to have shone brightly over the festive period.

This year will be different, but in previous years revellers have braved the chill to gather in the dark and see the Christmas lights being switched on, illuminating the skies with Yuletide splendour once more.

As well as Christmas trees, lights, baubles, tinsel and entertainment, many light switch-ons have also included familiar faces.

Here are some celebrities that pushed the plunger in Hampshire in the past.

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Matt Le Tissier and Lional Blair in Southampton in 1996

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Frank Bruno in Southampton in 1998

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Jim Davidson in Southampton in 2001 

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Lucy Benjamin switching on Marlands, Southampton lights in 2003

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Francis Benali in Hythe in 2004

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Craig McLachlan at Marlands, Southampton in 2006

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Keith Harris, Fareham 2007

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John Altman in Fareham in 2013

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Brian Conley in Southampton in 2014

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Simon Parkin in New Milton in 2017

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Dave Merrington in Totton in 2018

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