HUNDREDS of youngsters and their parents turned out to see Father Christmas arrive at Stewarts Garden Centre in Christchurch.
To the accompaniment of music from the Dorset Youth Marching Band, the portly present-giver was ferried to the Somerford centre in style on the back of Aveling and Porter steam traction engine ‘Smokey’, along with a host of helpful elves.
He greeted children outside before heading into his grotto, near to a pen with real reindeer which was a big hit with the youngsters.
Smokey, which was built in 1926, remained in the car park for some time so visitors could inspect its polished workings and chat with the crew.
After stopping for a time to hand out gifts, Father Christmas headed off to the branch of Stewarts at Broomhill for another festive gathering, this time riding the Wallis and Stevens steam tractor ‘Alice’.
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