Hundreds of shoppers gathered at Freeport Braintree to watch The Only Way is Essex star, Gemma Collins, turn on Christmas lights.

The festivities got underway on Thursday night with Martin and Su from Heart FM.

The fun started with a series of family-friendly activities.

Josef O’Sullivan, centre manager, said: “What a fantastic way to start the festive season.

"A huge thanks to the hundreds of people who came down to celebrate the start of Christmas with us here at Freeport Braintree, and of course to meet our very own Queen of Essex Gemma Collins who was just brilliant at turning on the illuminations for us."