This year's Switch On event in Croydon Town centre includes a glittering day of entertainment to welcome the festive season, and promises to be the best ever.

West End star Darren Day is switching on the Christmas lights in a Guardian supported event at North End, Croydon, on Thursday, November 15.

Darren Day and Christie Goddard from television's Robot Wars will be on hand with the pantomime stars of Cinderella at the Ashcroft Theatre and the calamitous Mr Blobby to switch on the decorations at 7pm.

They and other panto characters including children from the Bright Sparks Theatre School, will take part in a parade up the High Street, together with a coach and horses, the town cryer, favourite children's characters and of course Father Christmas.

Six lucky local children have won the chance to march in the parade along Croydon High Street in a Guardian competition and three adult lucky draw winners will collect their prizes at the Switch On (see below for list of winners).

A DJ will be there to play a mix of festive hits and chart toppers, and for the first time the event will be screened live to two giant video screens in the Drummond Centre and Sainsbury's Square at the Whitgift Centre.

Before the parade at 5pm, there will be a series of events and entertainment for all the family to bring in the Christmas period, including a dance piece by members of the Brit School, together with face painting and balloons at the Christmas tree at North End.

Town centre operations manager Tony Hart said: "The Switch On is an important event in the retail calendar of the town.

"It signifies the start of Christmas, and when the lights come on shoppers really start to think seriously about present buying.

"For many retailers this is the most crucial time of the year and must all work together to ensure that every shopper has a pleasurable experience. This years Switch On' promises to be one of the best ever."

p Lucky winners: the six children taking part in the parade are: Giordan Latham (Shirley Oaks), Callum Mitchell (Sanderstead), Jack Simpson (Croydon), Lavinia Miller (South Croydon), Heidi Broughton (South Norwood) and Hayden Jupe (Croydon).

The voucher winners are: £500 Vicky Hersey (Addiscombe), £300 Mrs O Hennessey (Coulsdon), £200 S Henning (Croydon).

November 14, 2001 15:30