Darling Buds of May star Pam Ferris will arrive in style on a vintage sleigh to open a village food and craft festival this weekend.

The respected actor, who lives in the village, will be dressed as Mother Christmas when she opens the Elham Food & Craft Festival on Sunday, December 16. She played Ma Larkin in the ITV show in the 1990s.

The event will be held in the village square and St Mary’s Church and runs from 11am to 2pm.

Santa will be there in his 100-year-old shepherd’s hut, and the event will also have more than 40 stalls selling local food and drink, handmade gifts, roast chestnuts and mulled wine.

There will be a raffle to help local charity the Fifth Trust buy a much-needed van and the event is part of the farmers’ market.

The farmer’s market holds the food and craft festival twice a year, at Christmas and in the summer.

After stocking up at the festival, visitors are encouraged to pop into the three village pubs or head to the tea rooms. More details here.