Santa is set to visit the Quay in Burnham-on-Crouch next month, during a community event full of festive fun.

The Christmas lights will be switched on at 7pm on Saturday 27 November at Bistro on the Quay, where children will also be able to meet Santa in his grotto.

Guests will even be able to meet and feed reindeer from 5pm until 8pm, and have a photo taken with the animals.

Claire Payne, who manages the On the Quay businesses in Burnham, said: "We just want to make this a real community-spirited afternoon of events.

"We're going to have the reindeer, we're going to have a brilliant Santa's grotto and an absolutely excellent Santa as well."

The Giving Tree is going ahead this year, after Claire contacted the children's Phoenix Ward at Broomfield Hospital.

She said: "They're going to give us some tags to put on the tree that the children have written small requests on for gifts that they would like to have donated to them."

All gifts purchased will then go to children at the Phoenix Ward.

To get guests into the festive spirit on the day, there will be a choir singing carols, mulled wine and mince pies.

Bill Orchard, a Fleet Street photographer who has photographed celebrities and bands including David Bowie, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, will be returning to the Quay to showcase his Christmas-themed exhibition.

Emporium on the Quay, which sells a variety of products from local businesses, will also stay open until late to allow residents to get ahead on their Christmas shopping.

"There's a lot going on," Claire said. "It will hopefully be a lovely Christmas community event."

The event will start at 4pm and finish at 10pm at Bistro on the Quay.

Pre-booking is required to meet Santa - which costs £7 per person - by calling 07908 279751.

To find out more, visit the On the Quay at Christmas Facebook page here.

To find more events in Burnham-on-Crouch and the Dengie Peninsula, visit our Nub News What's On Section here.