Christmas makeover for Covent Garden

Covent Garden has been transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas.

Film-set designers who have worked on Tomb Raider, Gladiator and Love Actually lit up the piazza with twinkling lights, holly and silver birch, ready for the month-long festive event Christmas Deluxe.

The event was launched with a spectacular aerial show in which acrobats floated overhead attached to enormous spheres.

From Thursday until Christmas the piazza will have two more aerial performances, as well as outdoor theatre shows by Strange Fruit.

There will also be the world's first decoration exchange, a 12 Days of Christmas luxury food market, children's storytelling and a bespoke gift-wrapping service.