Charles Dickens lived in Rochester before his death in 1870

Dickens lived in Rochester in Kent as a child, returning for several years before his death in 1870.

The town's connections with the author have been marked through the Christmas festival every year since 1988.

The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, featuring parades, a carol concert and a visit from Santa Claus.

Rochester has celebrated its links to Dickens for many years, but in October the town's Dickens Centre museum closed after visitor numbers fell.

'Unique connections'

The local council said at the time it remained committed to paying tribute to its most famous son.

A Medway Council spokesman said: "Medway has many links with Dickens - not only with the author's life but also with his work.

Adaptations of Dickens novels are still regularly shown on television

"Names for some of his most famous works were taken from local people and many Medway buildings feature in his work too.

"These unique Dickensian connections are celebrated through the Dickensian Christmas.

"This year is the 16th festival and it continues to flourish."

Among the highlights of this weekend's festival are a grand parade through the town at 1200 GMT on both days and a candlelit parade each day at 1645 GMT.

A carol concert takes place at Boley Hill at 1700 GMT each day, while children can visit Father Christmas in Rochester Castle Gardens throughout Saturday and Sunday.

The council is advising people to use public transport as it expects many visitors to the town, but a park and ride scheme has also been set up.