SANTA came to town yesterday - more than a month before Christmas. Father Christmas swept into Darlington town centre on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, to the delight of young onlookers. Children lined the route as the sleigh went from Tubwell Row onto High Row, where Santa left to visit his grotto in the Cornmill Centre. Youngsters had the chance to meet him, and clamoured outside in the street to see the reindeer. Santa's grotto will be open in the Cornmill from now until Christmas Eve.Picture: Sarah Nicholson