FATHER Christmas took time out from his busy grotto to meet children attending the first showing of Snow White at The Courtyard in Hereford.

The magical Christmas family show is an enchanting reworking of a beloved story, brought to life with a few fun twists, storytelling, original songs and interactive puppetry aimed at children aged 7 and under. Performances will be held in The Courtyard's Studio Theatre at 11am on December 15, 22 and 29, with free festive pre-activities from 10.30am. For more information and tickets, visit www.courtyard.co.uk or 01432 340555.

With the help of his friends from Hereford Lions Club, Father Christmas is waiting to meet you in his grotto at Oakchurch every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm, and every afternoon during the week before Christmas, right up to Sunday, December 23, and if you have been very, very good, you can drop in and whisper to him what you'd like for Christmas!

There’s no charge to meet Father Christmas in his grotto but visitors are welcome to make a small donation, which will go to local charities supported by the Hereford Lions Club.

When he’s not at Oakchurch, Father Christmas will be busy doing his traditional annual county-wide tour through the Hereford city streets and surrounding villages to meet local children. To view Father Christmas' full route list, visit www.herefordlions.com.

Santa’s grotto is at Oakchurch, Staunton-on-Wye, just 10 minutes from Hereford on the A438 Brecon Road, open 7 days a week with lots of free parking.