Carey to turn on Christmas lights

Mariah Carey is to switch on the Christmas lights at Westfield Shopping Centre in London, it has been announced.

The US pop diva will walk down a pink carpet, while butterfly confetti falls from above, to flick the switch later this month.

Grammy-winner Carey will be accompanied by eight children from the Help A London Child charity at the festive event, which organisers said would include pyrotechnics.

The 39-year-old singer's visit to London ties in with the launch of her new album Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel, which she said was one of her most personal records to date.

"Each song is like an intimate conversation or entry in a private diary," she said.

"A lot of the songs reflect specific, different times in my life. Others were inspired by movies, actual events that happened to me, or the stories of friends who told me about experiences that they've gone through."

:: Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel will be released in the UK on November 16.