SANTA rejected his reindeer in favour of a pony and trap for a visit to a hospital on Friday.
Father Christmas arrived at the University Hospital of North Durham on a one-pony open sleigh supplied by Braes of Derwent South Pony Club.
He made a circuit of the building, attracting stares from hospital patients, before ending up outside the children's ward.
Santa was then installed in a playroom, where those who were fit enough to visit him received gifts. Youngsters too poorly to visit were also rewarded when he delivered presents to their bedsides.
Pauline Crow, a play specialist at the hospital, said: "The visit was organised by Alison Hines, who works at the hospital and is also treasurer of the Pony Club.
"Santa came with lots of helpers, who were all pony club members, and they gave different toys to different age groups. The children were thrilled - it made their day."
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