Titan entertains

A 7ft android will be the star of the show when the countdown to Christmas begins tonight in Southampton.

Titan the Robot will give three performances at WestQuay shopping centre as part of the city’s Festival of Christmas.

The robot, which appeared in the Big Brother house and live on stage with pop superstar Rihanna, can be seen at 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm.

The festive event runs from 4-8pm. There will be a host of free activities and the lights switch-on at Marlands Shopping Centre by Mayor Carol Cunio and characters from the Nuffield Theatre’s Christmas panto production A Christmas Carol.

A Christmas market in Above Bar, complete with Bavarian huts and traders from Germany and around the world, will be launched at 6.30pm.

The city’s Christmas tree, sponsored by WestQuay, will stand against the backdrop of the Bargate where there will be singers and entertainers throughout the festive season.

Meanwhile, X Factor boy band The Reason from Southampton will switch on Winchester’s Christmas lights at 6.30pm today outside the Guildhall in The Broadway. They will also be performing at the event, which is hosted by DJ’s from local radio station The Breeze, 107FM. They will be joined by the University of Winchester Choir and the cast of Peter Pan, this year’s pantomime at the city’s Theatre Royal.

Festive market stalls will open from 3.30pm until 6.30pm.