KIDS had an extra reason to pay a visit to Swindon's Steam museum at the weekend Santa had taken up residence in a special grotto on the site.

Local artists Gordon Dickinson and Tony Robinson, from the No Added Sugar company, constructed Father Christmas a special silver and white temporary home so young rail enthusiasts could meet up with him and receive an early Christmas present.

A decorations workshop run by Mr Robinson also enabled youngsters to take some very individual designs back home with them.

The museum's marketing manager, Emma Valentine, said the event was intended to "add value" to the Steam experience, and that the spectacular grotto had gone down well with younger guests.

"There are a lot of children down there, and they all think it's great," Ms Valentine said.

Other attractions helping to liven up what would normally be a quiet weekend at the museum were the Wroughton and Ramsbury Silver Bands, who played on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Steam may have struggled for visitors so far, but Ms Valentine said she thought its closeness to the Great Western Outlet Village would help it outdo other local museums in terms of visitor numbers this month.