HUNDREDS of people cheered for Santa as he arrived at his grotto in Boscombe this morning.

Organised by the Sovereign Shopping Centre in conjunction with the rotary clubs of Westbourne, Boscombe and Southbourne, the special grotto was officially opened by the Mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr John Adams and the Mayoress, Suzy Adams.

Check out all the pictures from the parade here

Santa arrived in his sleigh with his reindeer at the back of a parade, which also featured the Wessex Majorettes, 19th Bournemouth Brownies and the Dolphin Marching Band, which travelled from Boscombe Pier to the shopping centre.

Gill Coussens, deputy centre manager, said: "The rotary clubs have organised the grotto for the past four years and our charity this year, the Amelia Grace Rainbow Fund.

"The parade was bigger this year than it was last year and we are happy with how many people came along to see it."

After the parade ended, the Santa's reindeer were led into a pen outside the shopping centre by Santa's elves, where children could pet the animals and have their picture taken with them.

In addition to the parade, which also featured the Bournemouth land train carrying children helped by the Amelia Grace Rainbow Fund and Creative Kids UK, there was also Princess Elsa and Olaf from Disney's Frozen on hand to meet their fans.

Families can also take part in arts and crafts, face painting and look at the stalls at Boscombe market for Christmas gifts, as well as the Boscombe Vintage Market based in the Royal Arcade.

Visitors can meet Santa in his festively decorated grotto, complete with fake snow, elves and Christmas trees, on various dates until Thursday, December 24, from 10am, costing £4 per child, which includes a present.

For more information, go to Sovereignshoppingcentre.co.uk