New Malden will have the newest and possibly brightest Christmas lights this year after a money-raising appeal raised thousands of pounds for the venture.

The Rotary Club of New Malden raised more than £7,000 to replace the old Christmas lights that had been used for years and reached the end of their useful life.

Children and families can come along and see the new lights when they're switched on at 5.30pm today (Friday).

Father Christmas will pass through the High Street on his sleigh with the Mayor, and the lights will be turned on in a sequence.

The High Street will be closed off for the special event, which has been a tradition since the 1920s.