A FREE festive weekend is being held at Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre with the chance to meet Santa and the animals.

The Christmas celebratory weekend will be held on Saturday and Sunday, December 1-2, at the centre which is home to Shire horses, otters, polecats, pigs, chickens and more.

As winter is setting in, the weekend offers the chance to get even closer to the Shire horses as they will be keeping warm in the indoor stables.

Janet King, who runs the centre with her husband Alistair, said: “We held this event for the first time last year and it proved very popular so we are delighted to be inviting people once again to start their festive celebrations with us for free.

“There will be competitions, children’s activities – including the chance to meet Santa, and an opportunity to learn more about our Shires with hands on experiences like grooming.

“It will be a fantastic way to start December and the countdown to Christmas and we can’t wait to welcome people to Cotebrook.”

There will also be a range of other activities including breakfast with Santa, pony grooming, Carron’s Christmas quiz and a personal introduction to the horses from Alistair, as well as mince pies and mulled wine.

For more information call 01829 760506 or visit www.cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk.