Santa's grotto is opening on Twickenham Green today – Monday.

Youngsters are welcome to go along from 3pm to 6pm though to Thursday at what is a completely free event funded by local businesses through Twickenham BID.

Sunday saw the switch-on of the festive lights and the grotto is one of a number of festive events designed to attract families to the town in the run-up to Christmas.

There is Twickenham Library Craft Fair later this week - November 26 - while Church Street will be hosting two Christmas shopping markets on December 3 and 11.

There is a rare opportunity to visit the artists' studios on Twickenham's famous Eel Pie Island and buy some presents on the weekend of December 3 and 4.

East Twickenham will be having its own Christmas tree lights switch on Friday from 4.30pm with music and carols from children at Deer Park School.