The cast of this year’s Marlowe pantomime Aladdin will be switching Deal’s Christmas lights on tonight (Friday).

The Kingsdown band will be performing in front of St George’s Church from 6pm.

Father Christmas will make an appearance at about 7pm with the lights going on at 7.30pm.

Pressing the switch will be the cast of Aladdin including Scott Maslin, who’s better known as Jack Branning on EastEnders and before that DS Phil Hunter on The Bill, and Phil Gallagher who young children will know as Mister Maker from Cbeebies.

Some shops will remain open until late serving refreshments, including Love Drinks, which will be selling hot dogs and complementary mulled wine.

Merry Gardens will also remain open to do a charity collection.