FATHER Christmas took a break from his busy schedule in the run-up to Christmas to pay a visit to children at a railway museum.

Staff at Darlington’s Head of Steam railway museum set up a grotto for Santa where he stopped by to collect children’s wishes to take back to the North Pole.

Museum manager David Tetlow had been helping Santa throughout the day. He said: “We have had 130 children come and see Santa today, so we’ve been really busy.

“Santa visits us every year and it’s always one of our most popular days. He is collecting children’s wishes to take back to the North Pole with him.”

Santa Claus will be returning to the Head of Steam on Saturday and Sunday, December 15 and 16, and Saturday, December 22, all from 10am until 4pm. Booking is essential, and tickets are £6 for adults, £4 for children, or £20 for a family ticket (two adults and three children).

For members, children are £4.50 and adults go free. Admission prices include a Christmas present for every child.

For more information or to book, call 01325-460532.