Crowds enjoyed a magical evening as Wimbledon town centre kicked off the festive season in style with street performers, a parade and spectacular fireworks.

Shoppers and their families were entertained last Thursday by a variety of attractions from unicyclists, stilt-walkers and carol singers to theatre performers and bands.

Actors from Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon Studio Theatre and the Colour House Theatre amused crowds outside Safeway, at the piazza, while Father Christmas dipped into his sack to distribute chocolate coins at Centre Court. Community groups throughout Merton joined in the evening, organised by town centre manager Ian Cramp and Working 4 Wimbledon Group chairman Janet Leatherland, by providing singers or helping to steward the event.

Traffic ground to a halt at 6.30pm as crowds lined the streets to see the parade through the town centre, led by Shane Ritchie, star of this years Wimbledon Theatre panto Jack and the Beanstalk.

The procession included the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Stuart Pickover, cast members from Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella showing at the Colour House Theatre stall holders from Merton Abbey Mills and a company of morris dancers who performed all the way along the route.

The parade also included 100 primary school children, from Bishop Gilpin, Park House Middle and St Marys RC schools, carrying chinese lanterns made in collaboration with Merton artist Lily Liang.

A spectacular fireworks display, from the top of Centre Court, ensured the evening finished with a bang.