A shopping centre has ditched its traditional big lights switch-on this year in favour of good causes.

Bluewater in Greenhithe opted to forgo the standard format of hiring a celebrity to turn on their Christmas lights to back worthy charities instead.

The out of town retail hub usually holds a free fireworks display to celebrate the switch-on each year but in September announced they would not be hosting a display this year.

This year it chose to mark the festive tidings in a different way.

Bluewater's giving tree was launched yesterday and will support more than 50 children's charities.

Customers can buy a present, select a tag and hand it to a staff member.

In 2018, the centre gave 17,500 gifts to disadvantaged children across the South East.

Bluewater celebrated its 20th birthday in 2019.

It has made a number of good deed pledges to celebrate including donations to Dartford-based Elements Gymnastics Club, Bexley Deaf Centre and the Hygiene Bank.

This year the shopping centre welcomes back its iconic illuminated reindeer as part of its lights display, who will be joined by new Nutcracker-themed decorations.

For details on light switch-ons taking place around the county, see here.

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