BLIND veterans and Frozen stars will feature at a shopping centre’s Christmas light switch-on.

Lion Walk shopping centre manager Martin Leatherdale is excited to launch his first Christmas event in Colchester on November 27.

There will be performances from Colchester Institute, Company Dance School, Theatre Train and more.

Martin said: “We will be tripling up with late night shopping, the light switch-on and the Christmas market. We will also have to conventional market here.

“The Christmas market will be near River Island and we will have a live band and a stage. We will also have fireworks from the roof of the library.”

There is one extra special performance planned.

Martin said: “The biggest thing for me is the blind veteran march. They come in full gear and will march through the centre and form a chorus, singing with the Royal Hospital School band.”

Martin hopes the event will celebrate the success of independent businesses.

He said: “We have nearly filled Red Lion Yard now.

“Minerva Chocolates has gone in and the Mercury Theatre will be moving from the High Street to Red Lion Yard. We also have other independents moving in.”

The event starts at 5pm with performances from dance groups until 5.55pm. The blind veterans will then march through the centre.

Ann and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen will perform at about 6.45pm.

Fireworks will be set off and the lights turned on at 7pm. Shops within the centre will close at 9pm.

The schedule has not yet been finalised.

Colchester Christmas Market will take place in the High Street on December 8.

From 10am until 5pm there will be rides, music, food stalls, Father Christmas and more. Shoppers can browse more than 80 stalls. The High Street will be closed to traffic during the event.