THE Christmas season well and truly arrived in Barnards Green when traders hosted their annual extravaganza for the community on Saturday.

The Barnard’s Green Trading Association run this event each year, to say thank-you to the local community for their support through out the year by shopping locally.

Father Christmas kicked off the event, by arriving shortly after 10am on a double-decker London bus, loaned by the Morgan Motor Company.

He then spent the morning inside his grotto situated in TP Travel, taking requests from children.

Among the attractions and activities on offer were making a Christmas lantern, watching the tricks of Magic Merlo, meeting Marshall and Skye from Paw Patrol, decorating a Christmas cookie at Cold Chef, entering the Name the Christmas Bear competition, having their faces painted, visiting the classic cars and much much more.

Jenny Cain, one of the event organisers and postmistress of the Green’s post office, said: “It was a great success and we have raised lots of much-needed funds for Community Action.

“The final figure is yet to be announced as we still have the quiz running from Just So and the Post Office, the Name the Bear competition running in Natural Choice and the raffle in Cafe in the Green.

“All end just before Christmas.”