FATHER Christmas swapped his sleigh for a white limousine when he switched on the festive lights in Spennymoor town centre.
After his grand entrance, Santa and the Mayor of Spennymoor, Councillor Ross Hawkes, switched on the lights and Christmas tree by the bandstand.
Father Christmas then took his place in the town hall grotto where dozens of children visited him with their wish lists before enjoying free food and amusements.
More than 1,500 children from local nurseries and primary schools will visit the grotto in the next three weeks, and others can drop in on Saturdays, from 10am to noon.
The decorations and event were funded by Spennymoor Town Council.
The town hall will host a carol service, featuring children from Middlestone Moor Primary School, on Sunday, December 15, at 3pm, then a town band Christmas concert on Saturday, December 21.
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