Thousands watched as TV personality Lucy Watson flicked the switch to bring Maidstone's Christmas lights to life.

The Made in Chelsea reality star swapped the streets of central London for the County Town's Fremlin Walk on Thursday night.

She stopped for a chat with stage hosts kmfm breakfast presenters Garry Wilson and Emma Adam, revealing she was spending Christmas in Australia and wouldn't be eating any turkey as she is vegetarian.

Entertainment started from 4pm and just before flicking the switch, Lucy phoned the lucky winner of £250 in vouchers for the shopping centre.

Around 2,000 people watched the main event which saw the TV personality joined on stage by X Factor contestants Blonde Electra, the cast of the Hazlitt's Snow White panto and Father Christmas for the switch on.

Completing the line-up were Stateside, Kieran Alleyne, and a number of local acts.

People began to pour into Fremlin Walk at 4pm as the celebrations got underway with a half hour performance by Maidstone's own singer songwriter Fred Clark.

Next up was a performance from Kent-based singer Kirsti Robinson (cor) who opened her set with a rendition of hit single Happy.

The Mandy Ellen Dance School performed a dance extravaganza and 12-year-old Got to Dance finalist Jordan Shepherd from Grange Lane, Maidstone, choreographed one of the three two-minute performances.

Jordan, who performed alongside brother Sasha, 10, and has been dancing for three and a half years, said: "It was really fun preparing for this evening and performing in front of so many people."

There was also an energetic performance from rising star Kieran Alleyne who wowed crowds with his vocals and acrobatic dance moves.

Our What's On team has put together a guide to surviving the festive season in Kent. See http://www.kentonline.co.uk/lifestyle/christmas/