A rising star from Slough has spoken about his experiences of growing up in the town and how he hopes to see vibrancy brought back into the area.

Robby Khela, 35, from Slough, has toured with the likes of Girls Aloud and is currently the main man at Theatre Royal Windsor's Christmas panto of Aladdin.

He has described growing up in Slough saying: "For me growing up in Slough was actually quite nice. I went to Montel Middle School. Then I went to Herschel Grammar School - which was one of the best Grammar schools at the time and probably still is.

"I loved going into town, I loved Slough High Street. We had the ice arena and when I was growing up we had the grass tennis courts."

However, Robby said that things changed in 2007.

"Since 2007 I have seen a decline within Slough town, I'm not sure why that is. It is like the recession hit us in 2007 and never left," Robby said.

"I even used to work in the cinema when it was called UGC Cinemas and I remember Slough being a nice little hustle and bustle of a town where people came to shop and now people are going out of Slough to shop."

Robby wishes more investment would be put into the High Street to bring it back to its former self.

"I think if we put a bit more effort and money into the town centre we can get that vibrancy back that we had when I was growing up," he said.

In 2017 high street giant M&S left Slough, and Robby says his family have missed it ever since, having frequented the store and upstairs café.

Robby, who has recently purchased his forever home in Upton, said: "We could bring that same energy and environment back - but it is just not happening at the moment.

"I have always lived in Slough and think it is a great town. I have made some great friends here, my whole family is here, so my roots are here.

"I am optimistic, I am seeing plans around the town centre of a new vibrant shopping centre and obviously because there are new flats being built all the time people from London are moving outwards into Slough.

"I think it is only a matter of time before we get our vibrant town back like it was in the day."