Santa Grounded

FATHER Christmas arrived by foot at the Templars First School Christmas fair on Saturday.

Instead of the usual sleigh and reindeer, Santa walked over from West Street, Sompting, and across the school field to see all the boys and girls in his grotto at the fair.

The fair was organised by the Friends of Templars and chairman Carolyn Cumber said she believed that the event had made a profit of 830.

She added: "The grotto was very popular. We had 117 children through it. We were pleasantly surprised by the turn-out and the profit."

There was a wide variety of stalls, including Santa s grotto, badge making, tombola and refreshments.

Mrs Cumber said the money will hopefully go towards developing the play area in the Sompting school.