Oscar winner Jim Broadbent will light up Belsize Park when he switches on the Christmas lights this year launching a festive community celebration.

The Belsize Community Choir and the Royal Free hospital Choir will perform and lead a singalong and mulled wine and food will be provided by local traders.

Organiser Linda Grove said: “The Winter Lights are provided by our community shops, largest benefactors being Budgens and Knight Frank estate agents, Lexington estate agents and a few individual donations.”

Mr Broadbent, who lives in Belsize Park, won the best supporting actor Academy Award for his role in the film Iris.

There will also be a collection made for the Royal Free hospital garden on Pond street which is being created by local volunteers.

Anyone who would like to donate should contact Anna Pollard at Lexingtons Estate Agent. Email: anna@lexingtons.com

The event will take place on Saturday December 10 at 6pm outside Budgens, in Haverstock Hill.