In pictures: Selfridges' iconic Christmas window displays are unveiled

The iconic Christmas window displays at Selfridges were today unveiled.

Father Christmas is the star of both the windows and the in-store decoration, which Selfridges claims are the first in the world to be launched this year.

In one window he is shown sitting on a train across from an elegant lady, surrounded by presents and wrapping paper.

The 2016 theme - titled ‘Shine on!’ - is apparently an open invitation for everyone to celebrate the season.

Last year’s ‘Journey to the stars’ theme featured the 12 signs of the zodiac in the shop’s 12 windows.

The store’s founder, Harry Gordon Selfridge, is widely credited with pioneering the display window in the UK after also coing the phrase "X days until Christmas".