Father Christmas is dropping in to Blooms Garden Centre tomorrow Thursday, October 30, to greet the little ones, and hand out Christmas presents.

Santa Claus will be joining in the centre’s Christmas preview evening, enjoying the free mulled wine and mince pies with visitors, as they arrive.

Lee Grainger is the general manager of Blooms and says the centre is hosting an evening of fun events including a children’s fancy dress competition at 7.30pm.

For the adults there is a cat walk fashion show, all the sights and smells of Yankee candle making and a secret special guest singer performing in the restaurant.

Lee said: “We also have a candy floss maker, a tea cup ride for the little ones, ten per cent off all Christmas gifts, free gift wrap with orders over £20, and some new lines of food with free tasting and there is a soup station for £1 a cup to warm the cockles.’’ The Christmas evening on Thursday runs from 5pm to 9pm and is free entry at the Hay Lane centre in Swindon.

The garden centre enjoys welcoming the community and has various events throughout the year including gardening demonstrations but this week it is the turn of the teeny-weeny witches and the little monsters in their favourite trick or treat costumes.

They can enjoy a Spooky Bake and Play in the restaurant until Sunday, November 2 for £4.95, cooking up such treats as gingerbread men followed by games. For more details call 01793 852736 - Flicky Harrison