WHEN Chippenham's Emery Gate shopping centre scrapped plans for a Christmas grotto, it looked like Santa Claus might be out of a job.

But now he's found a new home at the nearby Olympiad leisure centre.

Santa, who has enjoyed several stints at Emery Gate in recent years, said he was left sad and dejected after learning that Emery Gate would not be opening the grotto this yuletide, because of insufficient profits in recent years.

"It was a blow," he said. "I was in the grotto the year before last and know how popular it is with the children.

"Then I read in the Gazette how the Olympiad had stepped in to the breach and were looking for a Santa for their own Winter Wonderland.

"So I came down in my suit the very next day to volunteer.

"Of course this is a very busy time of year for me. But I couldn't bear the thought of children not seeing me in my grotto.

"I was thrilled to learn that the Olympiad and Wavin Plastics Ltd had agreed to lay on this lovely treat for children.

"Seeing their little faces light up when they see me makes all the hard work worthwhile."

With Santa now signed-up to fill the all-important throne in the grotto, Olympiad staff are now working flat-out to make sure there is a fabulous spectacle to greet the children next month.

"I have six elves who will be assisting me here," said Santa. "And they seem like a hard-working bunch.

"I think the children will get a real treat when they see the Winter Wonderland here at the Olympiad.

"It's going to have a little maze and animated figures, including a polar bear and penguin.

"All the children will also get a goody bag of gifts and of course I will be talking to them about what other presents they'd like me to bring them."

Opening on December 4, Santa's Winter Wonderland will be situated inside the Olympiad's cafeteria and will be open from Monday to Friday from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 4pm to 6pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5pm.

"We're thrilled to have Santa on board," said Barbara Gray of the Olympiad.

"And we're looking forward to welcoming hundreds of excited children."