Crowds line streets to welcome Father Christmas

Buy photos » Father Christmas is given a warm welcome as he arrives on the High Street in a vintage car. (s)

CROWDS of people packed the city centre's streets on Sunday (November 18) to welcome Father Christmas to Worcester.

Excited youngsters lined the High Street to greet Santa as he made his way to his grotto in CrownGate Shopping Centre.

Father Christmas left his trusted reindeer back in Lapland as he opted to travel in the more luxurious surroundings of a vintage car, accompanied by the festive sounds of the Jazz Ramblers.

After arriving at his grotto in Friary Walk he took time out from his busy schedule to answer some questions posed by the Free Radio Roadshow about his plans for the big day.

Santa will be listening to children's Christmas wishes throughout the festive season and youngsters can also post their letters to him in a special post box next to his grotto.

CrownGate centre manager Erica Burlace said: “It was wonderful to see the crowds who had lined the streets to greet Father Christmas as he arrived in his beautiful vintage car."

“It is always a magical event, which, along with the Big Lights Switch-On, really marks the start of Christmas festivities in Worcester.”

The free grotto is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12pm to 4pm, Thursdays from 2pm to 6pm, Saturdays from 12pm to 4pm and Sundays from 12pm to 2pm.

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