While the nation swelters in the heat, Croydon Business Improvement District (Bid) is turning its attention to snowballs and Santa.

It is asking schools to start thinking about Christmas, having teamed up with Blachere Illumination to create a new competition.

Croydon primary school children across the borough need to come up with an original design for a Christmas light display which could feature in this year’s display in the town centre.

The winning entry will be announced at the Christmas switch-on event in November and children between the age of 4 and 11 years old should submit designs.