MERRY Hill has chosen Save the Children as its official charity over the festive season.

Until mid-January the Westfield shopping centre will be raising funds and hosting special events in aid of the charity, alongside Westfield London and Stratford City.

Over the next few weeks shoppers will be able to enjoy reading from renowned authors, as well as secret busking sessions from a number of Universal artists.

A digital advent calendar will also be launched on the Merry Hill website on December 1, giving people the chance to win a host of luxury items.

All money raised will go towards Save the Children’s No Child Born to Die campaign, which aims to save the lives of children under five that are dying from preventable or treatable illnesses by providing more vaccines, antibiotics, nurses and midwives.