A POPULAR comedian has dropped by a south Cumbrian town to help instil some early festive cheer.

Stand-up comedian Johnny Vegas was in Kendal this morning to lend some star quality to the opening of a year-round Christmas shop.

Christmas and More opened its doors this morning with help from some familiar faces.

The shop was due to get going earlier this year, but the opening date was pushed back owing to the pandemic.

Kicking off at 10am, Benidorm star Johnny Vegas was joined by rugby league legend Paul Sculthorpe for the store’s grand opening.

The shop is understood to be the realisation of a 'lifelong dream' held by Cath Hutchinson, her partner Richard Aylett, their daughter Rebekah and her partner Jason.

The family open the shop having been in the card and gift industry for more than 15 years.

Earlier this week, Cath said: “I have always dreamed of opening an all year round Christmas shop ever since we saw the concept in America but we have never found the right location.”

Meanwhile, Richard said: “We just thought the Market Place was the perfect location.

“The town of Kendal has a real feel good factor and we are really confident Christmas & More will fit in nicely with the large number of independent traders in the town.

“We have been in the card and gift industry for 16 years with our Ashton in Makerfield store where we hold lots of local community events and we feel we can bring our proactivity to Kendal too."