FATHER Christmas was in Stockton to visit Ropner Park on Sunday.

The event was part of the friends of Ropner Park annual family fun day.

The choir of St Paul's Church and the Salvation Army Band provided entertainment while hot fruit punch and home-made Christmas cake was served.

There was a prize tombola, lucky dips and a face painter, with proceeds from the event going to back the friends of Ropner park fund.

The community park has already undergone massive refurbishment and more is planned.

Margaret Hope, chairpwoman of the group, said: "The main aim is to encourage people to use the park but, secondly, it was a chance to raise some money to stage even bigger events in the future.

"Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves, the choir sang beautifully and the band were wonderful."