The UK waits patiently like a ritual every year for John Lewis to air its Christmas advert - and this year there's a special south London link.

Eagle-eyed south London viewers have spotted a familiar location where they reckon the advert was filmed close-by.

Those living in Coulsdon have taken to Facebook to suggest the popular ad, titled Unexpected Guest, features residential road Mead Way at the gate to woodland Farthing Downs.

It's apparently shown where 14-year-old Nathan starts heading into the woods and the bus drives away at the start of the clip.

And, also at the end when he can be seen jumping over a gate to reunite with his newly-found alien friend Skye.

One resident even took to social media to suggest that the garden featured is also one on Mead Way, and that he "saw it being filmed and clearing up the fake snow".

Another said they had "wondered what was being filmed" around the area, and a number of people commented on the "fabulous bungalow" quickly featured on the advert that sits on Mead Way as well.

Your Local Guardian: Mead Way (photo: Google Street View)Mead Way (photo: Google Street View)

The two-minute ad stars space traveller Skye crash-landing at the height of festivities in the woods near the home of Nathan, who introduces her to the traditions of eating mince pies, decorating the tree and, to her slight confusion, wearing novelty jumpers.

The soundtrack is provided by 20-year-old London singer and songwriter Lola Young, who performs a cover of Together In Electric Dreams, originally released by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder in 1984.

The release of the ad is around a fortnight earlier than usual and comes as the retailer revealed Christmas-related searches on its website are up 50 per cent on this time last year.

Shoppers can buy a version of the Christmas jumper that Nathan gives Skye – minus the added lights in the ad’s version, in a nod to environmental sustainability – for between £14 and £29 depending on size, with 10 per cent of the profits going to the charities FareShare and Home-Start UK.

Your Local Guardian: John Lewis advertJohn Lewis advert

Every product in the ad is from John Lewis, with customers able to “shop key scenes”, including the decorated Christmas tree and dinner table.

John Lewis customer director Claire Pointon said: “There is nothing more magical than discovering the joy of Christmas for the first time and enjoying your favourite festive moments with loved ones.

“After the last 18 months, we wanted our advert to really celebrate this as we look forward to a brighter future.

“We know our customers are excited for this festive season more than ever, as they reconnect with family and friends. Through the story of Skye and Nathan we celebrate friendship and are reminded of the joy of experiencing Christmas for the first time.”