Lost elves on a stilt-walking reindeer will be roaming the streets of Sheerness at the weekend.

They will be searching for Santa between 10am to 4pm during the town’s first Christmas Market on Saturday.

The festive caper involves the pair looking for help to find their way back in time for Christmas and comes courtesy of the Grand Theatre of Lemmings.

John Nurden, chairman of Sheerness Town Team which has organised the festivities, said: “It should be a brilliant spectacle for youngsters and their mums and dads but alas, we can’t guarantee that the camel, or reindeer, will be well behaved.”

The High Street and Sheerness Broadway will be closed to traffic from 10am to 6pm for more than 50 craft stalls including the Doctor Who-themed Luniac Designs, Winter Pimms, wood crafts and strange “steam punk” displays and goods from Great Kentstpectations.

Other highlights include funfair rides and Swale Arts Forum’s performance of a scene from the Disney film, Frozen.

Mulled wine, cider and mince pies will also be on offer at the clocktower, served by staff from the Belle and Lion pub. The day will close with the annual Sheerness Lantern Parade, run by Big Fish Arts.

The procession leaves Beachfields near the sandpit at 4pm and travels along the High Street into Millennium Way, Trinity Road and Sheerness Broadway before stopping at the clocktower.

Swale council car parks will be free on Saturday after 2pm and all day on Sunday to encourage people to shop in town.