The rain didn't dampen the mood for shoppers who stopped to watch Chatham's Christmas lights being switched on yesterday.

The High Street has gone all sparkly now the lights have been turned on.

The cast of this year's panto, Dick Whittington and his Cat turned out to do the deed at 5pm.

Before the big event there was entertainment throughout the day with street magicians, a snow lion, break-dancing Santas, a robot and gliding angels as well as appearances from the cast of the panto.

The Pentagon Shopping Centre's lights were also illuminated for the first time yesterday.