A FEMALE Santa will oversee this year's festivities at a woodland haven.
The age of equality dawned for chiefs at Guisborough Forest and Father Christmas has been toppled from his festive pedestal by Susan Jacklin, from New Marske, east Cleveland, who is a credit supervisor by day and regular supporter of the Friends of Guisborough Forest in her spare time.
She came top of the list when the friends cast around for the best man - or, in this case, woman - for the job.
This year, the friends' group is working with the Forestry Commission and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to run the 900-acre beauty spot's Christmas tree sales point.
Trees will be on sale every weekend and on Tuesdays next month, from 10am to 2pm, at Guisborough Forest and Walkway Visitor Centre, Pinchinthorpe.
All profits will help to stage the third Guisborough Forest Festival next autumn.
Ms Jacklin said: "I'll certainly look the part, dressed in wig and red togs, and if anyone asks where Father Christmas is I'll tell them he's all tied up in Lapland.
"My two daughters have been busy testing me, firing off loads of tricky questions. I'm prepared for some pretty tough festive interrogation."
Santa Sue will be in residence on Sundays in a grotto decorated with a female touch.
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