The Range in Winchester hosts Christmas giveaway with hundreds queuing

Cold, wind, and rain did not deter people who queued up from as early as 6.30am on Saturday, October 4, to get their hands on some freebies courtesy of The Range in Winchester.

The giveaways for the first 50 customers included a Christmas bundle worth more than £60, full of items such as a three-foot Santa Tree and an LED Santa Glitter Globe.

"I saw it on the Chronicle," Annabelle Warden said, "I thought I was going to one of the first 50, but now it looks like I'll be one of the first 100."

Annabelle Warden, 26, from Weeke with her son, Shay, three and a half years old.(Image: Charles Elliman)

The 26-year-old mother from Weeke came with her son, Shay, who was three and a half.

She said: "I saw it online and then got excited about Christmas and thought, 'it's a freebie, so why not?'

"I'm just having a look around. I'm here for the Christmas stuff, to be honest; Santas, tinsel, and a massive Christmas tree."

Gavin and Kimberley were first in line(Image: Charles Elliman)

Gavin Rogers, 35, was the first in the line, having arrived at 6.30am with his niece, Kimberley Kinch, 22.

Mr Rogers said: "We should've just gone in with the store manager when they turned up."

The family members from Hythe said they were there "to get festive for Christmas".

Mr Rogers does charity Christmas displays "around the area" and so was on the lookout for "Everything and anything Christmas outdoors".

Sebastian Jarvis, 28, a mortgage advisor, had come all the way from Chandler's Ford to get his hands on the giveaways.

He said: "My wife [...] she saw it on the Chronicle and she asked me to come - but I don't mind.

"Everyone enjoys Christmas. It might be a bit early, but it's a chance to get into the Christmas spirit early, so why not?

"Nothing's free these days, so I think it's welcome for sure. Everything's getting tight, and it's getting colder now."

Ellie braved Storm Amy for the Christmas launch(Image: Charles Elliman)

Ellie Barnes, 23, stood in the wind and rain for her mother, who was not able to queue up in the ever-growing line.

The Kings Worthy woman said: "She's obsessed with Christmas, and she's got my two-year-old obsessed as well.

"Everywhere we go now, it's 'Santa'; 'Christmas."

Ellie was asked if there was anything in particular she wanted from The Range, aside from the freebies.

She said: "The Range just tells you what you need. I don't know what I need until I'm in there.

"Considering the cost of living, it's a really good thing they're doing here.

"Some of these things could be the only things people get for Christmas."

Retail assistant Laura Hoggard and store manager Simon Jackson(Image: Charles Elliman)

Store manager Simon Jackson, 55, from Poole, said: "It's been a good response, considering it's a local thing.

"I got here at 7.40am today and there was already a crowd.

"If you think about a lot of the giveaways you get from companies [...] it's all stuff people will be able to use and have a good setup for Christmas."