Children enjoy visit to Santa's Grotto at Elgin's St Giles' Centre before Christmas

LOCAL children were given one final chance at Elgin’s St Giles’ Centre on Saturday to pay a visit to Santa Claus before Christmas.

Santa visited the centre for four successive Saturdays in the lead up to Christmas, and dropped in by for five hours at the weekend for a sold-out visit.

More than 200 children had the chance to see Father Christmas at the St Giles’ Centre.

Stephen Young, centre manager, said: “Centre staff set up and manned the grotto including Santa and Mrs Claus.

"The landlord subsidises the unit by paying all associated costs – but the cost was a mere £5 per child.

"Children were given 10 minutes with Santa and a present that retails at more than £5 for the money.”

All money raised will go towards the purchase of next year’s presents.

“We buy these locally in the January sales,” Mr Young added.

“Kind retailers’ discounts, and the remainder of money made, goes to our chosen charity.”

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