Twickenham's Church Street is to be the heart of the area's Christmas festivities and lights switch-on this weekend.

During the afternoon, the street will play host to a festive craft fair with carol singing and stalls from local charities and artists as well as street food and festive drinks.

The event, between noon and 6pm on Sunday, will include face painting, balloon modelling, Punch & Judy shows and entertainment from panto artists.

The fair is organised by the Church Street Association, led by Shona Lyons of Crusader Travel, alongside her father Bruce Lyons.

The mayor, Cllr Geoff Acton, is due for the great lights switch-on at around 4.30pm, which will take place at the corner of Church Street and York Street. The lights are supported by Twickenham's businesses through the Discover Twickenham – Business Improvement District - organisation.

To get children in the area into the Christmas spirit, Santa is coming to Twickenham Green along with Rudolph and at least one of his very busy elves from tomorrow - Tuesday.

The special event is a first for the Green and has also been organised by Discover Twickenham.

The organisation's interim manager, Anthony Gopaul, said: "This is a fun Christmas even for pre-school age children.

"We have an inflatable grotto and visitors can expected to see Santa and helper, a little elf, as well as illuminated reindeer and snowman."

He added: "This is a community event supported by local Twickenham businesses. There is not much activity on Twickenham Green so this is good to support the community children and their families.

"It's free to attend and there is no profit to be made from the event. There is no booking arrangement, visitors can just walk up and queue."

The grotto will operate from Tuesday, November 16, through to Friday, November 19, and opens from 3pm to 6pm each day. It serves a curtain raiser for the switch-on of the Christmas lights on Sunday, November 21.