AS the new year arrived in the wake of a challenging 2022, we asked readers what they were most looking forward to in 2023.

More than a hundred responded with wishes that ranged from the opportunity to spend more time with their families to the fall of the Conservative government.

Some looked forward to retirement and holidays, others were praying for energy bills to become affordable again and peace to return to the Ukraine.

Here are just a few of their hopes and dreams...

David Stone: "The Oasis reopening…. Oh hang on maybe it’s the snow dome… nah it’s the Coate Water play park…."

Adele Bradshaw-Millington: "Lots of weekends away with my family in our camper."

Zoe Lee: "Saving up for our own home! Be first home owners end of the year, can’t wait."

Jennifer Colley: "The fall of the Tory government."

Marcus Kittridge: "Seeing the unveiling of the £33million bus shelters. I love bus shelters I do.

"This year is shaping up to be 'Peak Bus Shelter'."

Shane Hibbert: "Retirement."

John Noakes: "Thailand fishing more fishing in Hungary lots of riding the wing and see good friends."

Marge Swatton: "Going to the UK to meet up with all families and the great grandkids not met yet - 19 at last count lol."

Johanne Lakey: "Summer when we don’t have to put the heating on."

Susan Mayne Elmes: "After my partner was ill and confined to bed for most of the past six months, we are looking forward to some degree of normality, even to leaving the house sometimes."

Richard Clark: "The crazy hope that Swindon won’t end up becoming the country’s biggest housing estate!"

Bradley Keighron-Charles: "Holiday with my youngest Son for the first time in 10 years."

Corinne Gibson: "Energy bills and cost of living to go back to affordable prices, not these ridiculous greedy prices, and a better government who ever that might be."

Pauline Bizley: "My holiday haven't been away since Covid so will be a well deserved one."

Pauline Hobbs: "Health and happiness."

Em Newman: "Peace in Ukraine and other countries. And to regain my fitness. A holiday would be nice have not had one in years."

Colin Kahler: "A town centre that's worth going to."

Heather Edginton: "Peace all over the world."

Michał Adamczyk: "Pricing services and items for what they are truly worth, such as electricity and gas."

Natalie Wiles: "Trip home to London to see my parents and friends."

Malcolm Edmondson: "A couple of months in the Canarias."