Santa Claus, complete with sleigh, elves and reindeer, made a surprise visit to the Blue Planet Aquarium at Cheshire Oaks.

Father Christmas met the aquarium’s cuddly costume character Charlie the Clownfish and finalised details of his official visit there on Sunday, November 30.

Blue Planet Aquarium’s Phil Jones said: “It was a great privilege to welcome Santa, the elves and the reindeer and we are all very much looking forward to their return on November 30.”

Visitors to the aquarium will also be able to enjoy the antics of a sub-aquatic Santa over the Christmas holidays.

He will be taking the plunge every weekend from Saturday, November 29 during the aquarium’s regular dive shows and will then be diving daily from December 20-24.

The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge and Christmas Tree Farm at Cheshire Oaks is open daily until Christmas Eve. Admission to see the animals, including the reindeer and donkeys, is free and there is also a Santa’s Grotto (£6.50 includes gift and up to two free adults).