A DEPARTMENT store is asking the public to name a dove, which will star in a virtual Christmas display.

In a bid to impress visitors this year, Fenwick in the High Street will project an animated film onto the front of the store as a visual masterpiece.

From Sunday, November 26, the festive showcase will be projected onto the window and will show a virtual dove on a festive journey through Colchester’s historic landmarks.

The one time only show will then be available to view online of Fenwick’s website from the next day.

Visitors will also be treated to a virtual appearance from Snow White and her companion, Muddles, who star in the Mercury Theatre’s pantomime production.

Carl Milton, managing director of Fenwick Colchester, said: "This year we wanted to go all out and produce a visually-stunning showpiece that the people of Colchester can be truly proud of.

"Our Christmas showcase will light up the High Street and bring some festive cheer to our store that was unfortunately missing last year."

Gazette readers can get involved by suggesting a name for the festive dove.

Readers should Tweet their suggestions to Fenwick Colchester and the winning name will be announced on the day by Santa.

KAT Marketing, Motion Mapping and Version Events have all worked collaboratively on behalf of Fenwick Colchester to produce the animation.

Katie Skingle, director of KAT Marketing, said: “The immersive experience of project-mapping is a truly great way of engaging with the audience. It’s going to be a fantastic experience seeing everyone gathered in the High Street to see the Mercury theatre’s beloved panto characters broadcast on the front of Fenwick, followed by the journey of Fenwick’s friendly little dove around our hometown and the Big Lights Switch On."

Organisers of the traditional Christmas display in the town centre vowed to make it a festive spectacular earlier this month.

Thousands of shoppers have, for years, enjoyed the unveiling of the Christmas window display at Fenwick, formerly Williams and Griffin.

However last year, shoppers were disappointed.

Mr Milton promised this year’s Christmas launch, the first of its kind in Essex, will be much better.