Robin Hood will take Santa's place as special guest when Christmas officially arrives in Malvern.

Gemma Lowy-Hamilton, who is appearing as the outlaw in the forthcoming pantomime at Malvern Theatres, will bring a sparkle to proceedings in the town centre.

Clad in full costume, she will launch an arrow to switch on the Christmas lights which will begin the festivities at 6pm on Friday, November 21.

A range of seasonal attractions will be on offer, with shoppers given the chance to snap up early Christmas bargains as traders remain open until 8pm.

Santa Claus, fresh from Lapland, will join in the festivities at the Tourist Information Centre where, for 75p, children can post him a letter in the Christ- mas Victorian post box and receive a personalised reply and gift.

All proceeds will be donated to the Acorns Children's Hospice appeal.

A small fair, complete with merry-go-round and food stalls, will be set up outside the post office.

The Volcano Choir, from Worcester, will provide this year's musical accompaniment, performing traditional Christmas classics as well as alternative festive pieces.

Children will have the chance to win prizes as part of a treasure hunt competition organised by high street traders.

The Lyttleton Well, in Church Street, will also be open for people to drop off shoeboxes full of presents, as part of Operation Christmas Child, which delivers the parcels to children in Eastern Europe. A van will be coming to collect the parcels at 7pm.

n Malvern-born actor, director and choreographer Richard Swerrun, starring as Dick Whittington in pantomime at the Swan Theatre, Worcester, switched on Christmas lights in the city centre yesterday (Thursday).