It’s autumn. Time for jacket potatoes, soups, churros and cups of hot chocolate.

Fortunately all of these will be found in Fremlin Walk in Maidstone which starts its Autumn Festival this Saturday.

As well as the autumnal-inspired stalls, there will be a crocodile train ride for children and an ‘enchanted garden’ outside the House of Fraser, complete with a grassed area, toadstools, flowers and giant teacups.

Also on Saturday, the shopping centre is hosting a ‘green’ inspired competition in conjunction with kmfm. The radio presenters will be at the centre all day spotting people carrying Fremlin Walk bags for life. If spotted, customers can win one of three envelopes to spend £5, £10 or £20 at Fremlin Walk.

There will also be an opportunity for shoppers to try free demonstrations and beauty treatments from brands such as Decleor, Ritual, Hotel Chocolat, Ernest Jones, The Fragrance Shop and The Body Shop in the centre’s Beauty in the Walk scheme.

Other events are planned for future weeks.

On Saturday, October 25, there will be the FremlinFest - a celebration in conjunction with kmfm of local music and entertainment, including performances from Kirstie Robinson and Harriet Drury.

There will be free face-painting, plus the Fremlin Walk’s cake ladies will be handing out food samples from retailers such as Costa and Patisserie Valerie.

Shoppers can get ready for Halloween on Tuesday, October 28, by attending free professional pumpkin-carving demonstrations between 11am and 3pm.

On Friday, October 31, between 12pm and 3pm, Fremlin Walk’s very own witch will lead children in a safe trick-or-treat trail around the centre, gathering ghoulish goodies along the way.

The event offers parents a safe way of allowing their children to take part in traditional trick-or-treating.

The festival runs until November 2,

Check Fremlin Walk’s website, www.fremlinwalk.co.uk, for details of all the offers and events available.

For House of Fraser products check here.