A Kenilworth fundraising hero was invited to turn on the Christmas lights at the High Street light switch on event last night (November 29).

Mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Alan Chalmers asked Margaret Kite to push down the plunger at 6pm to kick start Christmas in town.

The day was doubly meaningful for Margaret who celebrated her 93rd birthday yesterday, with the hundreds of locals in the crowd singing her happy birthday.

The fundraising stalwart is regularly seen in supermarkets in Kenilworth collecting for various charities and was this year publicly thanked by The Myton Hospices which said the "wonderful" Margaret had raised over £31,000 in 12 months, across 218 different collections.

Margaret, who has lived in Kenilworth her whole life, has also raised money for the Poppy Appeal, Teenage Cancer Trust, and Kenilworth Guide Dogs to name but a few.

She was rewarded for her consistent philanthropy back in 2017 when she was awarded the British Empire Medal.

And Margaret even had a local guide dog 'Kite' named after her in 2018 in recognition for her dedicated service for Kenilworth Guide Dogs.

Kenilworth's Christmas events continue on Sunday (December 1) with the light switch on, on Warwick Road.

Hundreds of residents headed to High Street on Friday night for an evening of live music, food, drink and festive cheer.