SWINDON’S Brunel Shopping centre has unveiled a packed programme of Christmas activities.

Things get under way this coming weekend with the opening of Santa’s Grotto today.

This will initially open just at weekends but the grotto opening hours will gradually increase in the run up to the big day. It is free and is on the first floor of The Brunel Plaza, between Marks & Spencer and Boots.

Santa’s post box has moved over to the other side of The Brunel Arcade this year and has been upgraded to Santa’s post office.

This allows children to write their letters in the “post office”, and colour in pictures for Santa, with the help of his elves - It will be situated near Boswells Café.

Throughout December there will be weekend activities for children.

On each pre-Christmas Saturday of the festive month there will be Breakfast with Santa at various different cafes within The Crossing, The Brunel’s food hub.

Elf School will also be running on Sundays where each child can attend for an hour-long fun and games session, learning the elf commandments and culminating in children graduating as Elves.

Many of the shops in the shopping centre will stay open until 7pm and in the lead up to Christmas this will increase 8pm.