MAGICAL trips to find Santa are an annual favourite with families around Swindon as the countdown to Christmas begins.

Youngsters will no doubt be wide-eyed with excitement at the thought of the popular Santa cruises which start again tomorrow, Saturday.

Organised by the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, the trips invite parents and children to join in the fun on one of four trips a day, sometimes five, to join Santa as they cruise down the canal on the Trust’s boat, Dragonfly, in search of the big man himself.

The trips start at the landing station at Waitrose car park and once on board the adults are welcomed with mulled wine and mince pies, with chocolates for the younger passengers.

As the boat approaches Beavan Bridge the children are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled to be the first to spot Santa.

When the man in the red suit appears he is welcomed aboard to chat with the children and hand out presents (pre-booked) for appropriate ages until they reach Kingshill when he then disembarks, as he has to get home to feed his reindeer.

Waitrose will be supplying a Christmas tree on the canal side outside the store to get everyone off to a festive start this year and Santa will be switching on the lights at around 4pm on Saturday, December 5.

Santa’s canal trips will now run every weekend until December 22 and 23 but There is only availability left for a midweek excursion on December 16, with trips leaving at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. As there is only space for 12 people per trip it is essential to pre-book.

Other midweek Santa charter trips may also be available on request if there is enough interest.

For more information go to www.wbct.org-uk/santa-trips or call 07401 220076.