HE can normally be found on top of the roof or being hauled around in a sleigh by a herd of galloping reindeer during the seasonal countdown to Christmas.

But in Swindon from the end of the month that familiar white-bearded, red-clad figure will be down by the riverside – or to be precise, the banks of the canal.

A series of Santa Cruises have been organised by the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust as an alternative to a more conventional visit to Father Christmas at a shopping centre grotto.

For 12 days during November and December youngsters will be able to hop on Swindon’s very own Santa Boat for a trip down a restored stretch of the 200-year-old waterway.

The festive ferry rides along the Wilts & Berks Canal will begin on Saturday, November 22 and take place over subsequent weekends and a couple of weekdays virtually until Christmas Eve.

Treasurer of the Swindon branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Sue Paine said it was the fourth year on the trot that they were running the Santa Cruises and that they were becoming increasingly popular – not just with the children.

Many parents found the trip fascinating as they were seeing a part of Swindon they never knew existed.

She said: “The Santa Cruises have become quite an attraction. A lot of people say to us ‘we didn’t know there was a canal in Swindon’. It really is a surprise to them.”

She said that other people who vaguely knew about the canal hadn’t really seen it – and certainly hadn’t sailed down it. “As a result they often become very interested in the aims of the trust.”

The hour-long boat ride up and down two-thirds of a mile of the restored waterway in South Swindon begins when children and their parents or grandparents board the trust’s 12-seat cruiser Dragonfly on the towpath near Sunnyside Avenue at the bottom of Kingshill.

As the boat heads for Skew Bridge – the old Swindon railway bridge – they tuck into mince pies and orange juice while the grown-ups are offered mulled wine.

The youngsters are told to keep an eye out for Santa who boards the vessel at Bevan’s Bridge bearing gifts.

The youngsters are given presents as Dragonfly makes for New Bridge near Wichelstowe before turning back to Kingshill.

The cruises raise money for the trust whose aim is to completely restore the 52.4 mile canal which officially closed 100 years ago.

Sue stressed that people had to book up in advance and not just turn up on spec as they were likely to be disappointed.

“As the Dragonfly carries only 12 passengers availability is limited, so booking up is essential.”

The Santa Cruises will take place on November 22/23 and 29/30, December 6/7, 13/14, and 20/21/22/23. They will begin at: 10am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm.

Boarding takes place at the landing stage near Kingshill, Swindon SN1 4NQ. It costs £6 per adult (which includes mince pies and mulled wine/orange) and £9 for children which includes a present. For tickets and further information visit www.wbct.org.uk/santa-trips Email santa@wbct.org.uk or contact the W&BC Trust Shop in Theatre Square, Swindon, Tel: 01793 827678