FATHER Christmas gave delighted children an unexpected treat as they made their way home from school.
Youngsters were amazed to spot the red-suited gift-giver on a roof in Royal Wootton Bassett as he made an unscheduled early visit to the town.
Josh Connolly of Byron Avenue had donned the festive outfit to make up for the fact many of them won't get the chance to see Santa in his grotto this year.
He said: “There’s a school (Longleaze Primary) in our road so we wanted to do something they would see and enjoy as well. It was nice. It’s so important for the children after this year because their education was disrupted and they don’t completely understand it so I think to come together as a community and bring some cheer it’s really important.”
Dad of two Josh came up with the idea after he decorated his window as a glittery Christmas present as part of the town’s advent window display.
His wife Leah and two children Mya, 4, and Shay, 3, helped decorate the house and supported him as he clambered carefully onto the roof.
“It was a safe way to do it," he said. "With me being on the roof no one could get within two metres of me.
“I saw some Santa grottos could open but most of them couldn’t. For children getting to see him and sitting on his knee to tell him what they want for Christmas is a big thing. It must be very disappointing for them not to do that this year so I wanted to do something for them.
“Leah held me to account and made sure I did it because I had a couple of moments where I got a bit nervous and wasn’t sure I wanted to do it.
“The children got really excited when they saw me and they waved at me. It was really good because even Thames Water stopped the work they were doing on the street so the children could say hello and they could hear the music.”
Lucy Wind and her three children saw him as they walked down the street. Three-year-old Lily, was over the moon.
“I was so excited to see him, he was sat on a roof near my house,” she said. “He was so funny and friendly, he waved at me when I saw him.”
Lucy only spotted Father Christmas after Lily screamed and pointed.
She said: “We quickly went to get my son David from school to rush back so they could all see him and say hello.
“I think it’s amazing that he did that for the children in the area because they can’t go to the grottos. It was a lovely thing for them to do, it was really magical.
“My three children were amazed, Lily was speechless. It was completely unexpected and everyone I spoke to thought it was brilliant.”
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