FESTIVE entertainment is being laid on for Christmas shoppers at the region's biggest shopping complex.

The Gateshead MetroCentre is staging the free production, which features the Metro-Gnomes and space visitor Millie, each day in Exhibition Square, near Woolworths.

A centre spokeswoman said: "The pantomime is all about the MetroGnomes preparing a farewell party for Millie, who has been at the centre since landing here last summer.

"The MetroGnomes are going to have a great big farewell party to send Millie back to her home planet of Amicus.

"They have been joined by two space travellers, Zircon and Zinnia, to help prepare the fantastic celebrations."

The pantomime is being performed at various times each day while the centre is open over the festive period.

The centre is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and on New Year's Day.

The pantomime shows will culminate on Saturday, January 6, with entertainment and a fireworks display in the Riverside car park, starting at 7pm