EastEnders actress Samantha Womack will take time off from panto rehearsals at The Marlowe to turn on Deal’s Christmas lights next week.

Naughty but nice is how she describes her character the Good Fairy and she will be taking centre stage in a run of 90 shows at the theatre’s Jack And The Beanstalk production, opening on November 29.

Christmas trees are already going up above shops and businesses in Deal town centre and the big countdown to the lights switch-on starts at 6pm on Thursday, November 21.

Music by Black Catt Disco and Kingsdown Band kicks off the fun and at 7pm Father Christmas will make an appearance on the stage outside St George’s Church, High Street.

Miss Womack and another panto cast member arrive at 7.15pm and the lights will be turned on 15 minutes later.

Sandwich will also be switching on its lights for the festive season soon.

On Saturday, November 30 the Sandwich Lights Christmas Carnival gets underway.

It includes a Mexican Day of the Dead parade at 6.15pm and the grand switch-on of the Christmas lights at 7pm as well as music and dance performances throughout the day at the Guildhall, Cattle Market.

* For full story see the East Kent Mercury, November 14.