An inspirational woman says she is "overwhelmed" after being selected to turn on the Christmas lights in Bromley.

Helen Candy, 36, is a guide leader for the 19th Bromley Guides and has spent the best part of a decade inspiring young girls.

She will turn on the Christmas lights alongside panto star Lesley Joseph on Sunday (November 18) in Market Square.

Helen told News Shopper: "I was slightly overwhelmed because my colleagues didn’t tell me I was nominated. But it’s so lovely."

The role model described "never really leaving" the Bromley guides after going through the programme as a child.

"It sounds really cheesy but it was always where I was never judged growing up. I could be a total geek and be part of a team. It’s a completely different environment than school.

"I never really left and I have been to Mexico, India, Norway and we are going to Switzerland in a couple of years so you get a lot out of it if you put hard work in."

She added: "I love teaching a 10-year-old how to build a fire and how to cook a meal over it. I also love the friendship and trying new stuff."

Your Bromley, the town centre’s business improvement district, will present Helen with a cheque for £250.

Helen plans to donate the money to St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham after her brother’s death in 2009.

She explained: "My brother was 25 when he died. He had a rare form of nerve cancer.

"The team at St Christopher’s set up a youth community palliative care system for him. He lived the last three months of his life at home.

"They were amazing. He was so young and didn’t want to be in a hospice. I thought I would give the money to them."

Festive celebrations will last throughout the day on Sunday, including a fairyttale Christmas parade on the high street.