FATHER Christmas has made his annual trip to Boscombe today.

He was accompanied by a Chinese dragon, the Dolphin Marching Band, members of Westbourne Rotary Club and the land train filled with families supported by Amelia’s Rainbow Fund.

The charity was set up following the death of eight-year-old Amelia-Grace Cooper in 2010, who died after battling an aggressive form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma.

Don't live near Boscombe? There are also Christmas events happening in Ringwood, Westbourne, Southbourne, Broadstone, Corfe Castle and New Milton this weekend

Ten families supported by the charity got to enjoy a ride on the lad train as they followed Santa from Boscombe Pier up to the precinct.

Once outside the Sovereign Shopping Centre the parade’s was met by an elf flash mob and stilt-walking reindeer – as well as Elsa and Olaf from Frozen.

Santa was then welcomed into his grotto at the Sovereign Shopping Centre by Bournemouth mayor Eddie Coope – officially opening the grotto for the festive season.

This year’s parade was supported by Bournemouth Coastal BID

Steen Stones, the event organiser working on behalf of the BID, said: “We’re organising a lot of the Christmas events around the town but we know the Boscombe Grand Parade is always pretty special.

“We just hope everyone enjoys the event.”

Centre manager Peter Ruscoe said: "We're really excited for the return of the grotto which we're working on with Westbourne, Boscombe and Southbourne Rotary Clubs.

"Once again, we're delighted to be able to support the work of Amelia Grace Rainbow Fund with our portion of monies raised via the grotto."

The grotto, costing £4 which will all go to charity, will be open every weekend in the run up to Christmas and then every day from Monday, December 19 until Christmas Eve.