CHRISTMAS has come 17 weeks early to one pub in the district, whose staff are busy hanging up decorations this week.

Staff at Ye Olde Kings Head in Chigwell were busy decorating their halls with boughs of Holly on September 1 this year.

The interior of the High Road pub looks like a festive grotto with fairy lights, tinsel and adverts for Christmas menu when the Guardian visited this week.

Pubgoers would be forgiven for thinking they'd wandered through a time warp after the decorations went up 17 weeks early.

But according to manager Sam Carruthers, the early advertising is working.

He said: "It's just to get people thinking about it, basically we want to capitalise on Christmas bookings - especially as we have quite a good deal this year.

"Most of our customers have responded with a slow shake of the head, but then they've asked to see the menu, so it's clearly working."

Pub regular John Jenkins, 27, said the lights had had a mixed reception.

He said: "I do find it a bit strange because it's so far off, but the lights are nice and the place looks good so it's not too bad.

"It's better being too early for Christmas than too late.

He added: "There's been a bit of a mixed reaction from the other regulars and drinkers here, some people are saying it's far too early and others aren't really bothere, some like that it gives the place glitz."

Have you seen Christmas in the district yet? Contact our newsdesk on 01992 563 123.