The mayor of Elmbridge will be greeted by shoppers in fancy dress when he turns on the Christmas tree lights in Hersham on Saturday.

People doing their Christmas shopping on Saturday, December 14, are encouraged to dress up for the occasion.

They will be judged in a line-up at 4.30pm outside Waitrose, with prizes awarded for the best Christmas character outfit, the best Christmas hat and the most outrageous Christmas jumper.

Mayor Mike Bennison will turn the Christmas tree lights on at 5pm after the awards have been presented.

This will complete a day of festive fun in Hersham, where carols from the Twig Singers, a raffle for a luxurious Waitrose hamper and a shopping-themed quiz will entertain shoppers throughout the day.

Mince pies and mulled wine and chestnuts will also be available to sustain the exhausted shoppers.