FATHER Christmas will be greeting children in style this festive season thanks to staff and students at Mid Cheshire College and St Luke’s Hospice.

Long-term St Luke’s Hospice supporter Bentley Motors restored a former London Routemaster bus to be used as the hospice’s Luke the Bus this year.

The team at Mid Cheshire College then transformed the big red bus into a glittering grotto to give Father Christmas a smooth transition from his traditional reindeer and sleigh.

“We’re delighted Father Christmas has taken time out of his busy schedule to meet as many of Cheshire’s children as he can,” said St Luke’s head of corporate and community development, Di Eeley.

“Make sure you and your family don’t miss the chance to meet Father Christmas aboard the amazing Luke the Bus.

“The Grotto looks fantastic thanks to the excellent and incredibly generous work of the team at Mid Cheshire College and will be coming to a location near you, so it’s a perfect event for the whole family.”

The generous team at the Northwich-based college also wrapped up 300 presents, which will take pride of place to be handed out to children in Santa’s new travelling home.

Youngsters are being invited to hop aboard and visit Father Christmas as the bus makes its way across South and Mid Cheshire over the festive period.

Entry to the touring grotto is £3 per child and every child will receive a present.

Catch Father Christmas at Hartford Victorian Christmas Market at St John’s Church Centre, School Lane, between 9am and 2pm this Saturday, December 7.