The cast of the Tunbridge Wells pantomime and kmfm presenters kicked Christmas off in style at west Kent's largest shopping centre.

Andy Walker and Rob Wills helped to switch on the lights on Thursday, as they were joined by the ensemble cast of Cinderella and the man himself - Santa.

Dani Harmer from CBBC’s Tracey Beaker, CITV presenter Jamie Rickers and EastEnders' Louise Jameson all took time out of rehearsals to also meet and greet at Royal Victoria Place.

Hundreds of local people headed to the heart of Tunbridge Wells to herald the Christmas seasons.

The festive packed evening saw the switching on of the town Christmas tree, the arrival of Santa at Royal Victoria Place and the switching on of thousands of Christmas lights across the town centre.

The excitement began from 3.15pm when Santa departed Royal Victoria Place with his elves aboard his horse drawn sleigh for a tour of the town centre before picking up the stars of ‘Cinderella’ from the Assembly Hall Theatre.

Santa then trotted along in Santa’s Sleigh with the Town Crier before arriving at Fiveways Piazza for the switching on of the town’s Christmas Tree, performed by the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells.

The highlight of the evening was Santa’s arrival to officially open his ‘Festive Frozen Forest’ themed Grotto at Royal Victoria Place for the 14th consecutive year.

The switching on of Royal Victoria Place’s Christmas lights was the grand finale to the programme of festive events and kicked off at 6pm with a debut musical performance by ‘Rock Choir Tunbridge Wells’.

This year’s event was hosted by kmfm’s Rob Wills and Andy Walker.

During the special event the kmfm DJ’s led a tribute to the victims of the Paris Terror attacks and also broadcast a special Drive-time show live from the centre between 4pm and 7pm.

Christmas Tunbridge Wells 2015