FESTIVE fun filled the Belfry on Sunday, as Santa arrived to take up residence in the shopping centre.
The Redhill venue was packed with families looking forward to meeting the big man in his free grotto.
But before he arrived at the centre he was pulled by huskies through Redhill accompanied by stars of this year's Harlequin Theatre panto Beauty And The Beast and the centre's fancy dress competition winners.
Once Father Christmas arrived, the ribbon was cut and the grotto officially opened.
Andy Nash, the centre's manager, told the Mirror: "It was brilliant fun. We have got more decorations up this year than ever before, we are doing more Christmas activities than ever before.
"Hopefully people will stay local and do the Christmas shopping with us and enjoy being in Redhill."
Instead of charging a fee for the grotto, three charities – St Catherine's Hospice, Hope for Isaac and the RSPCA's South Godstone Animal Centre – will benefit from shoppers' donations.
Alongside the chance to meet Father Christmas, the centre organised music and entertainment, free husky sleigh rides, competitions and children's Christmas craft activities.
Youngsters also met Bjorn the mechanical polar bear and had the chance to have balloons modelled by Santa's cheeky elves.
Mr Nash added: "We had an absolutely amazing reaction to Bjorn. It's amazing the amount of adults who were asking me if he was real. The children were frightened to start with but obviously they soon learned that he was a very friendly bear."
The grotto is open every day in December up to and including Christmas Eve. All children will receive a free gift.
For grotto opening times, visit www.redhillbelfry.co.uk. You can also book a place online by visiting www.bookfatherchristmas. co.uk/belfry
