SUITS were swapped for panto outfits yesterday as managers got in the spirit for Christmas fun.
Sunderland's city centre manager Peter Gouldsbro, Phillip Steele, manager of The Bridges shopping centre, and Carol Squance, manager of the city's Marks and Spencer store, visited fancy dress store Dr Funkenstein to choose their costume for Thursday night's Parade of Light.
The parade, through the city centre, is one of the events held to promote the city's stores in the run-up to Christmas.
The managers, along with several other colleagues, will be donning the costumes of children's favourites, such as Postman Pat, Snow White and Mr Blobby.
This year, for the first time, more than 300 children, aged five to 11, will be taking part in the parade, many with home-made lanterns.
Mr Gouldsbro said: "With more than 300 local schoolchildren taking part in this year's extra special Parade of Light we wanted to make a difference and invite some of our city centre partners to join in the fun to make it a real community event.
"The interest shown by retailers and others has been fantastic and demonstrates their ongoing commitment to, and support of, the city centre.''
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