Chatham High Street

Chatham town centre will be the focus for festive celebrations over the next few days.

Children’s character Little Charley Bear will be entertaining youngsters at the light switch-on, which will take place tomorrow (Thursday).

The CBeebies favourite will be meeting fans at Chatham Library between 2pm and 2.30pm (book a place on 01634 337799) before the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway, Vaughan and Jenifer Hewett, turn on the lights at 5pm.

There will also be a carousel ride, dance groups and choir singing.

Saturday will see the return of the Chatham Christmas parade. Father Christmas will make his way along the High Street in a coach pulled by white horses.

He will leave from the junction with Church Street at 11am and make his way to his grotto at the Pentagon Shopping Centre.

EastEnders and Celebrity Big Brother star Cheryl Fergison, who is playing the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at The Central Theatre, will help open the grotto. Kmfm Breakfast presenters Rob Wills and Emma Saint will be joining in the fun too.

There will also be street entertainment, routines from DK Twirlers and traditional giveaways from Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe.

The lights will go on in Gillingham on Friday when the mayor will be joined by the stars of Nickelodeon Junior.

Ben and Holly will be the special guests at the event on Friday, November 23, and there will be the chance to meet the TV characters at Gillingham Library between 2pm and 2.30pm (book to see them on 01634 337340).

Family entertainment will start at 3.45pm, and the festive celebrations will take place on Smiths Square along the High Street with the lights going on at 5pm.