CHRISTMAS came early at Bellis' Country Market in Holt as Father Christmas paid a surprise visit to check on preparations for his grotto.

Starting on Saturday, November 27, each weekend in the run-up to Christmas, Santa will be at Bellis' between 10am-4pm (Saturday) and 11am-4pm (Sunday), to meet children and dish out a few early presents.

This will be the third year that Bellis' have held a grotto, with all proceeds - more than £1,000 each year - going to Nightingale House Hospice.

There will be a motorcade to deliver Santa to his grotto on its opening day, with Wrexham Road Policing Unit providing an outrider for the procession from Farndon to Holt - starting at 9.30am.

Santa will be driven to and from his grotto each day by businessman Ray Squire, of Bluestone Cars, who came to Santa's rescue when it was discovered his sleigh would be out of action until Christmas Eve.

Santa explained: 'My sleigh is in the garage at the moment, getting a final check-over before Christmas Eve, so I am very pleased that Bluestone Cars have come to my rescue.

'I'm not used to travelling on the ground but I'm sure I'll get used to it!'