Santa's flying visit gets festive fun under way
It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas last weekend when our towns were transformed into glittering winter wonderlands.
Rudolph and his reindeer friends were traded in for a more sophisticated mode of transport when Father Christmas arrived in Reigate by helicopter.
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Christmas flight: Father Christmas makes his grand entrance by helicopter at Priory Park Photo No: rsmks051209a284 by Kevin Shaw
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Treats: Children snack on sweets as they wait for Father Christmas to arrive in Priory Park Photo No: rsmks051209a226
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Wooah: A donkey makes a break for freedom.
Photo no: rsmks051209a375
bt Kevin Shaw
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Animal magic: Ed Rees Williams, Charlotte Davies, Charlotte Duke, Charlie Page and Wonky the Donkey in Reigate's tunnel Photo No: rsmks051209a364 by Kevin Shaw
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Santa's helpers: Grant Teasdale tries out a candy floss beard next to Trevor Shopland Photo No: rsmks051209a62 by Kevin Shaw
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Meet and Greet: Main picture, Father Christmas meets the children Photo No: rsmks051209a62
by Kevin Shaw
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Silent Night: Above right, Carol singers perform Photo No: rsmks051209a323
by Kevin Shaw
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Switched on: Left, cricket legend Phil Tufnell turns on the lights with Miss Christmas
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Christmas cheer: Phil Tufnell and Miss Christmas.
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Lit up: Right, Christmas in Reigate
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Yum: Rachael Corlett eats Candy Floss
Photo no: rsmks051209a198
by Kevin Shaw
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White Christmas: Children enjoy the snow in Caterham Valley thanks to the snow machines Photo No: CCRPM051209A03 by Paul Martyniuk
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Seasonal cheer: A group of teenagers enjoy an early white Christmas in Caterham Photo No: CCRPM051209A10 by Paul Martyniuk
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Snowball: A child moulds fake snow in Caterham Photo no: CCRPM051209A02 by Paul Martuniuk
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CCRPM051209A Wk50 Brian
The Square, Station Avenue, Caterham.
Winter Wonderland created in Caterham by snow machines.
Photographer Paul Martyniuk Croydon Advertiser paul.martyniuk@essnmedia.co.uk 020 8760 7630 *** Local Caption *** chrisrmas, snow, snowing, winter,
St Nick came swooping down into Priory Park on Saturday to collect some last minute present lists from expectant children.
Excited kids enjoyed donkey rides in Reigate tunnel, while carollers and Miss Christmas sang and danced to entertain passers-by.
And when darkness fell, crowds gathered to see cricketing legend Phil Tufnell switch on the town's Christmas lights.
Jes Chandler, chairman of Reigate Business Guild, said: "The Christmas Extravaganza this year was just fantastic.
"In fact it was probably one of the best ones we've ever had.
"The whole town was full of people, even when the heavens opened for the switch-on. Phil was brilliant and made it such a lovely friendly occasion.
"I honestly thought towards the middle of last week that Reigate wasn't looking that Christmassy, but now it has come to life.
"It's really been a tough trading year, but Reigate is special and it had a really special atmosphere on Saturday."
In Caterham Valley, residents were enjoying a white Christmas after ten industrial snow machines coated the town in a white blanket.
Delighted children danced under the softly-fallen snow as it covered the shopping precinct.
Chris Windridge, chairman of A Better Caterham (ABC), said: "We had a great time in the Asprey Fountain area, young and old alike."
The snow machines are forecast to fire up again on Saturday 12 and 19, between 11am and 3pm.
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