SANTA has already put a smile on young children's faces after he arrived at a shopping centre in the run up to Christmas.

Based outside Home Bargains, at the Parkway Shopping Centre, Middlesbrough, the grotto has returned following a five year absence.

Three-year-old Summer Williamson beamed with joy when she got to meet Santa, her delighted mother, Sue, said: "Summer is only three years old and this was her very first visit to see Santa, and he was just lovely and wonderful with her. It's a real treat and pleasure to see Santa back at the Parkway, he's been gone far too long."

The return of Santa is part of the centre's plan to become a bigger part of its Coulby Newham community.

Centre manager Zoe France said: “Here at the Parkway we recognise people’s perception of what the centre is may not be a true reflection of what we are, and as part of our long term aim, we are investing now with shopper events, a Christmas market and engaging more with our tenants.

“Times have changed and we want to truly share that message. Customers tell me they want to shop here but we can’t always accommodate their needs, we want to deliver that with Christmas this year.

"Christmas is about family and loved ones and we want to recreate a nostalgic feeling once again within the centre for our shoppers and tenants."