SANTA'S elves will be leaving post boxes in Newton Aycliffe again this year.

All children who post their letter to Father Christmas in the special boxes will receive a reply from the Ice Palace in Greenland, where he lives.

Parents are asked to check that the child's name and address are legible before posting the letter.

The boxes will be positioned at Stevens Newsagents in Beveridge Way, Neville Parade Post Office, Aycliffe Village Post Office, Redhouse Post Office and Woodham Post Office from Friday, December 1.

They will stay there during the day until they are collected again by the elves on Wednesday, December 20.

The event is sponsored by the department of leisure and environment at Great Aycliffe Town Council.