Rock star Ronnie Wood turned on Claygate's Christmas lights on Saturday to an audience of over three thousand people.

The Rolling Stones guitarist, who has lived in Claygate for two years, was joined on stage by ex-Coronation Street actress Francoise Pascal to get the village's Christmas celebrations under way.

The pair also sang Christmas carols and took part in the auctioning of a signed England rugby top for charity, with rocker Wood offering £150 for the shirt himself.

In an exclusive interview with the Elmbridge Guardian after the event, he said: “I just thought tonight would be a laugh and nice way to get to know the locals – there's quite a lot more of them than I thought there were.

“I've been living here a couple of years and it's nice and quiet. I'm up at Ruxley Towers and I get peace and quiet up there and I can paint and just relax.”