WITH Father Christmas making guest appearances in grottos across the country, it can be difficult to spot the genuine article.

How can you tell who is real and who is simply a helper?

Bosses at Boosey's Garden Centre say they have the answer - they say the real St Nicholas is the one with the real reindeers!

For the past 12 years the Middlewich garden centre has become a temporary home for reindeer from the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre at Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands.

During that time Boosey owner Paul Morris has become an expert in reindeer care. And his long association with the reindeer centre has meant he is still entrusted with a pair of Santa's four-legged friends every year, despite strict regulations introduced after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Mr Morris said: 'Since foot-and-mouth there are tighter controls regulating hoofed animals.

'But because we've looked after reindeer from the Cairngorms for so long, we are still allowed to look after reindeer, making us one of only three or four places in the UK to get them, which is pretty exclusive.

'That's how you can tell our Father Christmas is the real one, because he is the only one with real reindeer!'

This year the garden centre is playing host to two female reindeer, Glacier, eight, and Tambourine, five.

'They are getting lots of attention,' said Mr Morris. 'When we first started getting the reindeer I was on the phone to the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre every five minutes asking questions about them.

'But this year, they arrived last week and I have not phoned once yet, so it shows how your knowledge improves.'

The reindeer will be appearing with Santa in his grotto on Thursdays and Fridays from 3-5pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm.

All proceeds from the grotto will go toward helping needy children in Africa. It is organised by Glynn and Ian Jones, who regularly visit Africa. Last year money made at Boosey's helped to fund a well and mosquito nets for an African village.