A shop assistant from Portishead has been chosen to turn on the town's Christmas lights – after residents mounted an internet campaign calling for him to be given the honour.

Nigel Parker, 21, who works at Homebase in the town, impressed residents so much with his happy attitude behind the tills that they set up a Facebook page, Nigel from Homebase, with nearly 900 fans calling for him to switch on the illuminations.

Fans deluged the site with messages of support with Lee Collins posting "Absolute legend – he gotta turn the lights on", while Andrew Hill said "I'd never felt good about buying screws until I met Nigel. You are a star Nigel."

Representatives from the Christmas Lights Committee paid a special visit to the store on Monday to officially invite Nigel to turn on the lights at a special ceremony on November 30.

And Nigel, who knew nothing about the Facebook campaign until he was informed by customers, was delighted to accept the offer.

Nigel, who has worked at the store for two years, said: "I am very honoured that I have been asked to turn on the Christmas lights in Portishead.

"It will be a real privilege for me and I am really looking forward to it and would like to thank everyone who has supported the campaign."

Nigel beat off competition from Hollywood movie star Johnny Depp for the job of switching on the illuminations.

Fan Sarah Wintle, 37, of Longwell Green, Bristol, set up the site – Johnny Depp to turn on Portishead Christmas Lights – after he was spotted shopping in the town's Waitrose store.
Sarah even tried to contact Mr Depp's agent to see if he was interested in attending the ceremony, but did not get a reply.

Members of the Nigel from Homebase group said he should get the job of switching on the festive illuminations because of his friendly manner and excellent customer service at the store.

So good is Nigel's customer service that people visiting the store will wait in long queues to be served by him rather than go to another till.

Nigel has also consistently scored top marks during mystery shopper tests at the Wyndham Way store.
Portishead Christmas Lights Committee spokesman Barry Randall said: "There was a lot of support in the town for Nigel to switch on the lights. He was the people's choice.

"We are delighted to have Nigel doing the job this year – his cheerful and friendly attitude makes him an ideal choice."

Homebase Portishead manager Bob Mirams said: "Nigel is a fantastic member of staff and we have customers that wait just to be served by him.

"We are proud and privileged to have Nigel as a member of our staff and he is a real asset to the team."

Committee members usually ask a celebrity to turn on the lights and last year the honour went to well known panto dame Chris Harris.

In the past telly favourite Carol Vorderman, TV presenter Gill Impey and characters from the film Chicken Run have done the honours.

Nigel will be assisted at the switch-on, which takes place at 6.30pm at the precinct, by players from Bristol City Football Club.