SANTA has been given an upgrade - in Hyndburn at least.

The Rotary Club of Church and Oswaldtwistle arranged for a new sleigh to be built, so Santa can carry on making his visits throughout the borough.

Spokesman Michael Jackson said: “For the past four years, students from Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School have carried out repairs and alterations to the sleigh, which has done a few thousand miles, but Santa wants more protection from the wind, snow and rain and a brand new sleigh is being built, which will certainly keep him nice and warm.”

A protective hood, windshield and padded seat have all been installed, as had a new lighting system, which will be powered by a heavy-duty battery.

Santa will ride into the grounds of White Ash School, in Oswaldtwistle, on December 2 before spending the next three weeks touring the borough. He will appear at Asda in Accrington on December 7 and 8, and Tesco in Accrington, on December 22 and 23.