FATHER Christmas is returning to Northwich this month, complete with a new and improved sleigh and he needs your help in giving it a name.

Each year, he contacts his friends from the Rotary Club of Northwich Vale Royal and Northwich Round Table to ask for their help in organising his sleigh trips around the streets of Northwich and surrounding areas.

This year, Father Christmas contacted Rotary chairman Ian Lewis for help mending his sleigh after it broke down last year.

Father Christmas said: “I really enjoy coming to the Northwich area – it is one of the very best places in the whole world that I visit.

“What I like most of all is when the families come out into the streets to meet me as I’m driven around by the Rotary.

“But last year by sleigh broke down a couple of times and I needed to get it fixed.

“The good news is that Ian has organised all of his helpers and made me a brand new sleigh for when I come to town this year.”

Santa’s sleigh’s refurbishment was made possible by kind-hearted businesses including Hare and Levitt Shopfitters, CB Homes, Michael Hartley Upholsters, Gillian Seddon Garment Alterations, Town and Country Motors, CES Electrical and Johnson’s the Cleaners.

Father Christmas added: “I haven’t seen it yet but I have heard all about it and I am really excited – it has a brilliant new paint job, a new sound system and low energy LED lights, as well as a new leather seat and backrest as the mice had eaten the original.

“The only thing missing is a name – I asked Rudolph but he wasn’t much use so now I’m asking the boys and girls of Northwich to send me their suggestions for their chance to win a wonderful trip to Chester Zoo!”

Father Christmas will be visiting Kingsmead, Weaverham, Rudheath, Castle, Barnton, Lostock and Hartford this year.

He will also appear in his town centre grotto, from November 30.

As well as a chance to hear children’s Christmas wish list, he is also aiming to raise as much money as possible for charities supported by the Rotary Club and Round Table.

There is a charge of £3 for children to visit Father Christmas in his grotto, which includes a gift, and a separate donation for a photograph memento of the visit – but all proceeds will go to charity.

Father Christmas added: “I hope you all come out and say hello this year and take a look at my new sleigh.”

For your chance to win a family ticket for Chester Zoo (two adults and two children), send your sleigh name suggestions to Emma Rigby, Northwich Guardian, Theatre Court, London Road, Northwich, CW9 5HB, or email them to emma.rigby@nqnw.co.uk.

Closing date for entries is November 25, 2013. Entrants must be 12-years-old or under.

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Santa’s Sleigh Route will be in the following areas: December 1 – Moss Farm, December 3 – Kingsmead, December 5 – Weaverham, December 6 – Rudheath, December 8 – Hartford, December 9 – Castle, December 10 – Weaverham, December 11- Barnton, December 12 – Lostock, December 15 – Sandiway, December 16 and 17 – Hartford, December 19 – Rudheath, December 20 – Kingsmead, December 21 – Davenham, December 22 – Cuddington, December 23 – Barnton.

He will be in his grotto outside Northwich Library on November 30 and in Adelaide Gardens (next to Marks & Spencer) on December 7, 14 and 21.