New Malden residents got into the festive spirit as Santa Claus came to town last Friday for the annual Christmas lights parade.

Santa travelled in his sleigh along New Malden High Street from the Fountain to St George’s Square, with his helpers switching on each light as he passed by.

The Rotary Club of New Malden, the organiser of this year’s parade, had promised the lights would be “better than ever” and were pleased to have secured funding for the festivities from New Malden businesses.

The event was preceded during the afternoon by an open day organised by New Malden councillors where residents had the chance to meet local councillors and representatives from Kingston police, fire brigade and NHS Kingston.

Councillor Ken Smith, deputy chairman of the Maldens and Coombe neighbourhood committee, said: “This is the first time we’ve run an open day like this and we had an extremely good turnout.

“I’ve never seen so many people in the high street. In places the crowds were two or three people deep.”

Tolworth and Surbiton were also plunged into the festive spirit earlier in the week, when the towns’ lights were turned on.

Santa used his trusty sleigh to ride along Victoria Road and switched on the lights at Surbiton station on Thursday, while school children sang carols for commuters.

There was also children’s entertainment and music to fill the cold night’s air.

Balloon artists made wacky shapes such as reindeer and hearts in Tolworth on Tuesday as Santa waved to the crowds while balancing on the back of Surbiton Rotary Club's van.

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