IT MAY only be November but a Swindon shopping centre has already been given a sparkle of Christmas cheer as its lights were officially switched on.

Crowds of people gathered around the Christmas tree at the Swindon Designer Outlet as Help for Heroes fundraiser Mike Buss pressed the button, plunging party streamers over the top of the tree and lighting up the corridors of the shopping mall.

The Swindon Male Voice Choir, 4th BT Rifles, Pegasus Brass Band, singers, actors and actresses dressed in Victorian costume all provided the entertainment in the lead up to the big switch on, and collected money in aid of Help for Heroes throughout the day.

Mick Lindsay, of Riot Events, which helped onlookers get in to the Christmas spirit, said: “There have been lots of people around enjoying themselves and what has been really nice is we had lots of children sitting around the front of the stage just looking up at the singers completely mesmerised and enthralled. They really enjoyed it.”

Servicemen from RAF Lyneham were also on stage to tell onlookers what it is like to spend Christmas away from home.

Meanwhile, two reindeer were popular among children on the opposite side of the shopping centre.

Mum Teresa Grierson, of Blunsdon, took her four year old daughter Mia to the festivities.

“Mia loved the reindeers,” she said. “The lights and decorations look brilliant this year, especially the big Christmas tree at the entrance. It really gets you in to the Christmas spirit even though it is only November.”