STILT walkers will be joining the Chippenham Christmas Lights Switch-on this year for some festive fun.

Swindon Stilt Walkers, run by childhood friends Emily Smith and Phoenix Stewart, both 32, has been entertaining audiences with sky-high get-ups for the last five years

What started as an amusing hobby turned into a part-time career for the pair, who starred in Dr Who in 2014 in circus-esque scenes at London’s South Bank with Matt Smith in the leading role.

They have also performed in BBC series Father Brown and The Coroner, as well as police drama WPC 56.

Emily, who runs pole fitness classes at her own studio in Cheney Manor, was given a set of stilts by her boyfriend as a Christmas present in 2011.

She began practising to walk with them in her studio using crash mats and holding on to the poles to stay upright.

Phoenix, who works as a manager in a home department store, was intrigued watching his friend experiment with them and asked if he could have a go too.

“It's an unusual feeling at first with these things strapped to your legs,” said Phoenix.

“Emily held my hands and helped me around her studio before she let me try on my own.

“We kept practising and then had the courage to make our way to the local green to practice on the grass.”

The pair have worn some extravagant costumes during their shows.

Their outfits for the 2012 Olympic celebrations were decorated with union jacks, and their clothes were rainbow-themed for the Swindon & Wiltshire Pride parade, which they led through Old Town.

They even have reindeer and Mr and Mrs Claus costumes which they have worn at the Swindon Christmas Lights Switch-on for the last four years.

“Stilt walking has been so fun and always gets such a reaction from members of public,” said Phoenix.

But there are still some heights Emily and Phoenix struggle to reach.

They were recently approached by a knitting group who wanted them to hang a poppy cloak on the Isambard Kingdom Brunel statue in Swindon’s town centre.

“Our stilts aren’t quite tall enough to reach!” said Phoenix.

Visit www.facebook.com/stiltwalkers to get in touch with Swindon Stilt Walkers who will walk at the Chippenham Christmas Lights Switch-on on November 24 and 25.