Santa is arriving at a garden centre to give kids the chance to meet the big red man himself.

Notcutts Garden Centre St Albans welcomed a special arrival from Santa on Sunday.

Families flocked to the garden centre to watch Santa arrive in a horse-drawn carriage, where he officially opened the garden centre’s grotto.

Maddie, eight, Lexi and Libby both aged six, were lucky enough to arrive with Santa and enjoy the first visit to the Christmas grotto after winning Notcutts’ festive drawing competition.

Chris Holt, centre manager at Notcutts St Albans, said: “Thank you to everyone who celebrated Santa’s grand arrival with us on Sunday, it was a fantastic day and it was great to see so many local families join in the fun.

“Santa’s arrival marked the start of our festive activities at Notcutts, and we’re excited that the countdown for Christmas has truly begun!”

To find out more or to book Christmas activities at Notcutts, visit notcutts.co.uk/Christmas or call 01727 853224. Notcutts is on Hatfield Road, Smallford, St Albans AL4 0HN.