By Hayley Robinson

A Tesco Metro is set to open in Sittingbourne in January.

The store will be located in the former Somerfield supermarket at The Forum Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne High Street.

Although it is yet to open its doors, Tesco has organised a series of Christmas events for shoppers.

From 11am to 4pm tomorrow there will be face painting, a stilt walker, entertainer, and a festive craft workshop.

The Christmas celebrations continue the following weekend with free makeovers and shoeshining on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm,

Also on Sunday, December 19 there will be a visit from three reindeer from 11.30am to 3pm.

Santa and his little helper will be at the centre from Monday, December 20 to Christmas Eve between 11am and 4pm. There will be more face painting and children’s entertainment on December 24.

Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager, Jonathan Simpson, said: "We are due to open our new store at the end of January 2011, but could not resist the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with the Sittingbourne community."