CHILDREN were treated to a visit from the original Father Christmas this weekend - on horseback.
St Nicholas' trip to the village green at Heighington, near Darlington, on Saturday, was organised by the village's St Michael's Church as part of a four-day Christmas festival.
"The festival is about taking things right back to the original idea, before commercialism took over," said festival co-ordinator Val Curry.
"Long before the idea of Santa Claus, St Nicholas was said to arrive by boat, then horseback."
About 100 youngsters and parents gathered on Heighington's green to meet St Nicholas, riding horse Shining Fountain, and his helper Black Peter, who handed out festive treats.
"St Nicholas really looked quite spectacular in his full regalia," said Mrs Curry.
"When he trotted off round the green, all the children followed him - it was lovely."
The festival, which finished yesterday, included a pies, punch, poetry and prose evening, and a display of trees inside the church representing the 12 days of Christmas.
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