EXBURY Gardens in the New Forest is famous for being a fairyland of flowers in the spring, but it's bidding for a reputation as a winter wonderland too.

Thousands of lights and millions of gleaming holly berries are being used to transform the gardens into a festive arbour fit for Santa Claus, who arrives this weekend.

A highlight will be the tunnel on the railway line which circles the gardens.

"We have hung so many strings of icicle lights that the tunnel looks like a frosty night sky," said display designer Victoria Martin, who is also the garden manager.

"We had one Christmas weekend last year but we didn't decorate the tunnel, the engine shed, or our engines Naomi and Rosemary. This year we have really gone to town."

Father Christmas is based in a grotto garlanded with boughs of traditional holly and ivy and other seasonal greenery.

"We may have to refresh the foliage for our second week, but finding plenty of green branches is not a problem for us at Exbury," said Victoria.

The Exbury Gardens' Santa Specials run this weekend and again on December 7 and 8. Tickets at £5 include admission to the gardens and a train ride plus a present for children and refreshments for adults. To book ring 023 8089 8625.