THERE was not a sleigh in sight when Father Christmas made a festive entrance by helicopter to a children's bazaar on Saturday 8 December.

Santa, alias father-of-two Paul Holmes, was the star attraction at Minety Pre-school's festive fair in the village hall, which raised about £150.

He hopped on a helicopter at Oaksey Park Airfield, four miles away, and touched down in the field next to the village hall just before 2pm.

"It was fantastic, you could see him on the other side of the helicopter and the children were going wild," said Anna Lees, who was at the bazaar with children Harry, one, and two-year-old Oliver.

"People who were at the bazaar said we had more people there than the Queen's visit to Malmesbury. The helicopter flew round the village and Paul came out carrying his sack and went over to the gate, with the children there, taking photos."

Mrs Lees said Mr Holmes welcomed children in to Santa's grotto for about 90 minutes. "He said he was a bit nervous at first but said it was fantastic," added Mrs Lees.

Mr Holmes lives in the village and his two-year-old son, Liam, will start at the pre-school, in the grounds of the primary school, next term. He also has a daughter, Amy, seven.