Charity benefits from Cumbernauld grotto

Mrs Claus with Santa, Alana Chesney age 1, Kole Thomson 3months and Caroline Delaney (manager British Heart Foundatiom), Rhiannon Marshall (volunteer)

The grotto offers children an opportunity to tell the great man what they want for Christmas while also raising money for the British Heart Foundation, the Salvation Army and Strathcarron Hospice.

And centre manager Robert Barr says that queuing times at the grotto should be much shorter this year.

“In the past we’ve had problems when people ask to take photos with Santa as this extends the wait for everyone else. So this time shoppers will be able to download photographs from Facebook instead.”

Last year’s grotto attracted some 3000 visitors and Robert is hopeful that even more children will visit Santa this time around. The grotto is open until Christmas Eve and includes a festive train set featuring various Thomas the Tank Engine characters and Santa himself. Visitors are asked to donate at least £1 to the charities.