An 11-year-old boy will join panto stars including Bobby Davro to turn on the Christmas lights in Dartford this year.

Kayne Joseph has been giving the honour after winning a council colouring competition, themed around Cinderella.

The Inspiration Academy pupil's entry was picked ahead of hundreds of entrants from 10 different schools, meaning he will join the Orchard Theatre's Cinderella cast members to hit the switch at the festive event at 5.20pm on Saturday November 19.

Union J singer George Shelley, comedian Bobby Davro and actor and dancer Regan Gascoigne will be alongside him, as well as Mayor of Dartford Cllr Paul Cutler, and Father Christmas.

Kayne, who lives with parents Ajo and Sumi and brother Keith, said: "I was shocked and really stunned when I found out. I could not believe I won. It's the first competition I've ever done.

"I know this event is a big thing and I'm really excited I get to do it.

"Everyone at school is really excited for me, and a bit curious. I put my best effort into the colouring, I tried really hard."

Kayne's mum Sumi added: "I'm really happy and very excited that he's going to be part of it. We're new to the UK, we landed in the UK last year.

"When we got a call that he was a winner we were really shocked, we were in the living room after school, and we were screaming and clapping, 'well done, Kayne!'"

"The encouragement really means a lot to him.

"I don't know how to explain my heart and my excitement. We are really lucky to be part of this celebration, and we are very proud and thankful to Dartford Council.

"We will definitely have our own celebration here too."

Entertainment ahead of the switch-on includes Britain's Got Talent finalist Tom Ball, Heartstopper actor Robbie White, Madness tribute band The Los Palmas 6, and a Taylor Swift tribute.

Celebrations will began at 10am when street performers including stilt walkers, musicians, balloon artists and magicians take to the High Street, Orchards Shopping Centre, and the Priory Shopping Centre, courtesy of event partners Cohesion Plus.

An interactive life-sized snow globe named Show Globe will also entertain crowds, and the Orchard Theatre's choir and ukulele group will also perform in the shopping centres and on stage in Brewery Square.

Children's presenter David Ribi will kick off performances at 2.30pm, followed by Robbie White, then the Cohesion Plus Dhol Drummers at 3.10pm.

Taylor Swift and Madness tributes will be followed by Tom Ball before the panto stars take to the stage at 5pm.

The event is being supported by Dartford Borough Council, Orchards Shopping Centre, The Priory Shopping Centre, The Orchard Theatre, Sainsbury's, Lollipops, Dartford Markets, Dartford Messenger, Aldi, and Cohesion Plus.

Details about Dartford's upcoming Christmas events will be available at www.dartford.gov.uk/events.

The Big Christmas Switch On is the first event on the council's festive calendar, followed by Santa's House on November 26 and 27, and December 3 and 4. Santa's Tour will take place on December 4, 11, 18, 19, and 20.