A procession of excited children followed Father Christmas as he rode his sleigh through New Malden.

More than 350 children flocked to St Georges Square in a record turnout for the annual Christmas lights switch on.

A brass band belted out festive tunes to accompany Santa, who was joined by the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Patrick Codd, and his wife for the parade down the high street on Friday, November 25.

Children sang and danced along to carols and enjoyed sticks of candy floss before meeting Father Christmas, who handed out 300 presents and handfuls of sweets donated by local department store Tudor Williams.

The light switch on was coordinated by New Malden Rotary Club who have also arranged for Santa and his sleigh to tour the area every weekday from December 1 to 22 to hand out presents and greet families.

New Malden Rotarian Michael Robson said: “The switch on was highly successful. Despite the cold weather we had the biggest turnout ever.”

The Rotarians and Father Christmas will be outside the co-op on New Malden high street on Saturday, December 17 and 24, and outside Waitrose on Saturday, December 17, collecting as part of their Christmas appeal.

Meanwhile Christmas shoppers will be spoilt for choice with extended opening hours in Kingston this year.

John Lewis, Bentalls and The Bentall Centre will be staying open from 9am to 9pm on every weekday evening throughout December.

Vanessa Frances, Head of Marketing for Bentalls, said the extended opening hours should ease the stress for busy working people.

She said: “The late night shopping hours also mean that when your partner gets home from work you can nip out when the kids are in bed to stock up in true Father Christmas style.”

A markets discovery evening will also be held offering shopping, entertainment and a chocolate festival in the Market House on Thursday, December 8, from 5pm to 9pm.

Girlguides will be on hand to help wrap up Christmas presents for a charity donation.

Drivers will also be able to park for free after 5pm in Bentalls A and B car parks and after 6pm in the John Lewis and Seven Kings car parks.

Ros Morgan, Chief Executive of Kingstonfirst, said: “We hope the extra opening hours will encourage more shoppers into the Town Centre and get their Christmas off to a great start.”