IT MAY be nearly five months away but children in Croydon are already being asked to make their mark at Christmas.

Croydon Business Improvement District (BID), which provides Christmas lights in the town centre, has launched a competition asking youngsters to design a light for this year's display.

The winner will see their entry created for real and switched on with the rest of the display as part of the town centre's event on November 17.

To enter this year's competition, all youngsters taking part have to do is design their light and post their entry form to: Croydon Visitor Centre, 1-3 Station Approach, George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LF or drop it into the information point in the Whitgift Centre.

The deadline for entries is Sunday, September 4.

All the best designs will be put on display in both the visitor centre near East Croydon Station and on the boards surrounding the new council headquarters being built in Fell Road.