FATHER Christmas will be arriving at a County Durham museum this winter.

The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, will host him and his elves at his workshop where visitors can make Christmas crafts, then meet Father Christmas himself in his grotto, where he will complete the magic by handing each eligible child an early Christmas present.

The grotto opens on Saturday, December 1, and runs through to Friday, December 21, with slots available to book online in advance.

Slots will be available from 10.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm at weekends and from 3.30pm to 6pm during weekdays. He will also be on site during the museum’s annual Christmas Market.

The popular annual Market also takes place on December 14, 15 and 16. Admission to Santa’s grotto is £10 per child, which includes a gift and admission to the museum. Children who are booked to see Santa between December 14 and 16 will be admitted free of charge to the Christmas market, while adults will pay just £5, which also includes admission to the museum.

The museum is open daily from 10am. Details of exhibitions and events can be found on the website at thebowesmuseum.org.uk