Every year the busiest man on the planet takes time out from preparing for the big night to ask youngsters what they want for Christmas. We've visited sites across the region to assess Santa's performance

* THREE-YEAR-OLD Dean Bainbridge was delighted with his visit to Santa.

His aunt, Julie Jennings, took him to the grotto in Darlington's Cornmill Shopping Centre, and Dean was delighted with the mini drum kit he was given during his visit.

Dean said: "I like Santa, and I've asked for Bertie Bus and Thomas the Tank Engine."

Julie was also pleased, and thought the £1.50 entry price was well worth it.

Length of queue: 10/10

Convincing?: 9/10

Ho-Ho-Ho-ability: 7/10

Quality of present: 10/10

Extra touches: 8/10 - Santa's elf, who was very attentive towards the children

Overall rating: 9/10

* WITH help from mum Gemma Marshall, and reporter Lucia Charnock, three-and-a-half-year old Jacob Wood, from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, called on Father Christmas at Middlesbrough's Cleveland Centre.

But they found him having an off day. Admittedly, they went at lunchtime, but arrived to find a queue forming and were still in the same spot half an hour later.

Santa had, apparently, gone to feed his reindeer, but the tots were clearly getting restless.

Mum Gemma assured Santa that Jacob had been a very good boy and Santa said he would see what presents he could bring if Jacob promised to look after his mum next year.

As for the present, five jelly beans in a tiny plastic Cleveland Centre bag did not impress, even if the charge for the visit was a discretionary handful of change into a bucket for local charities.

Overall, Santa needed to practise his lines more and feed his reindeer at quieter times.

The saving grace was the whole grotto area, which is absolutely fantastic.

Length of queue: 2/10

Convincing?: 3/10

Ho-Ho-Ho-ability: 4/10

Quality of present: 0/10

Overall rating: 4/10

* BROTHERS Sam and Ben Crosby, from Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, made the short visit into Durham City with mother Tracey to visit the impressive outdoor grotto in the Bishop's Quarter of Durham's Prince Bishops shopping centre.

The grotto was purpose-built to fit in the focal point of the centre, outside British Home Stores.

Mother Tracey said the centre seemed to have "gone the extra mile" with the grotto, which made the visit to see Santa a real experience.

Santa spent several minutes chatting to the boys, with four-year-old Ben leaving with a Cararama model Cabriolet car and his six-year-old brother receiving a Batman and Robin Freezemobile.

Both also received a festive Thornton's chocolate box as an extra gift for their good behaviour - all good value for £2.50, with 50p going to the mayor's charity appeal.

Length of queue: 8/10

Convincing?: 9/10

Ho-Ho-Ho-ability: 8/10

Quality of present: 7/10

Overall rating: 8/10

* THE jovial scarlet-clad fellow at Barkers department store in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, impresses not just the excited youngsters, but their mums and dads as well.

The accent may not be quite Lapland but, when the face and smile and sheer cheerfulness are spot-on, who cares?

Little Harriet Mayne certainly enjoyed her trip to the grotto, which is complete with an animatronic reindeer and elf.

The seven-year-old, from Hutton Sessay, near Thirsk, was making her annual visit with parents Carole and Anthony - and it wasn't clear which of the three was enjoying the trip the most.

Length of queue: 10/10

Convincing?: 9/10

Ho-Ho-Ho-ability: 8/10

Quality of present: (Colouring book and felt pens) 9/10

Overall rating: 9/1