Christmas here early

The sun is shining, and memories of a sodden August are giving way to a glorious Indian summer... but in a small corner of England it is Christmas already - 109 days early.

This is Doggie Style, a pet grooming emporium in Kingston where, undeterred by the fact that it is shirt-sleeves and flipflops weather rather than winter coats and mufflers, they have put up their Christmas decorations already.

There are two Christmas trees in the shop, two on the roof, a 15-foot Santa and Rudolph and all his reindeer chums - and all went up when there were still 134 shopping days to go until Christmas Day.

"We have been planning this since January," said owner David Ottaway.

"It was very difficult finding Christmas trees at the beginning of August. Eventually we found a company called Christmas Starts Here, and a lady came round to put them up. It took her four hours to do each tree.

"We've had tourists coming up to take pictures, but we've also had some people writing in to complain, saying we've spoilt Christmas.

"I think Christmas is whatever you want it to be. As the months go by we are going to be adding to it. It's like a big Advent calendar."