Croydon's countdown to Christmas begins tonight with the Christmas lights switch-on in the town centre.

Actor Larry Lamb will be joined by his co-stars Nathaniel Morrison, Rosa O'Reilly and Paul Tate from Fairfield Halls festive panto Aladdin, as they turn on the festive lights.

To celebrate the festive season the town centre will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland.

Santa's reindeers are travelling from North Pole and will be in the town centre every weekend from November 19, until December 18.

Shoppers will also have the chance to step inside a giant snow globe and have their picture taken in a spectacular winter setting.

The snow globes will be in Croydon on the weekends of December 3 and 4, and 17 and 18.

There will also be street theatre artists performing around the town, as well as balloon modellers and live music from bands and choirs.

The festive programme of entertainment has been jointly organised by Croydon's Business Improvement District (Croydon BID) and Croydon Council as part of its Love Croydon campaign.

The campaign was started after an outpouring of community spirit following the civil disturbances in August.

Council leader Mike Fisher said: "We know from asking people what they love most about Croydon is that the shops, bars and restaurants in our fantastic retail districts are really important.

"The events that BID and the council have put together for this Christmas should help everyone have a really good time."

Maria Chapman-Beer, Interim Chief Executive of Croydon BID, added: "We are delighted to be working with the council and business to make this Christmas the best possible for Croydon's traders and hope families come to the Town Centre to enjoy the events on offer."

Retailers will have a number of exclusive offers for shoppers over the festive period and there will also be parking discounts available.

For full details of all the special offers available visit www.croydontowncentre.com and www.croydon.gov.uk/lovecroydon