The stars came out to switch on Deal’s Christmas lights on Friday.

Friday’s ceremony, outside St George’s Church, was carried out by former EastEnders actor Emma Barton and Richard Hurst – whose TV credits include Casualty – who are both starring in the pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre.

A big crowd had been entertained by kmfm’s Johnny Lewis and the Black Catt disco, Father Christmas on his sleigh, Deal Carnival Court and town youth mayor Kofie Behan.

The ceremony was organised by Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade, which pays for the lights each year.

Deal’s lights are environmentally friendly, AD ones, with bulbs which are claimed to last much longer than standard ones.

See this week's East Kent Mercury for a picture special on the lights switch-on.