SANTA is coming to town and ten lucky youngsters can win the chance to meet him next weekend.

Organisers of the annual Durham Christmas Festival have arranged a link with a town in Lapland.

And Santa is winging his way from the northern Finnish town of Rovaniemi to Durham to sign a bonding document during the city's festival, from December 3 to 5.

The ceremony takes place on the steps of the Town Hall on Friday, December 3, at noon, with the Mayor of Durham of Durham, Councillor Mary Hawgood, and her counterpart from Rovaniemi, as well as the director of the Christmas Foundation in Lapland, and Santa.

Organisers have also joined forces with the Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal, and are appealing for boxes packed with gifts for less fortunate youngsters.

Visitors can drop off their filled shoe boxes at the PriceLess shoe shop in Millburngate Shopping Centre, until December 5.

Santa is greeting children in the centre next Saturday, from 10am to 3pm, and the next day, between 11.30am and 3pm.

l The Northern Echo and Durham City Forum are giving children, aged five to nine, a chance to meet Santa at the Gala Theatre on Friday, December 3, between 5pm and 7pm.

To win, just tell us why you want to meet Santa. Entries must be submitted for judging to the Santa Claus Competition, c/o The Management Suite, Prince Bishops Centre, Durham, DH1 3UJ, to arrive on or before Wednesday. Winners will also receive a pair of tickets to the Gala panto, and a goody bag.