IT was a supersonic Saturday last weekend when Syd Little helped to open the festive celebrations at Farmer Parr's Animal World and the Fylde Country Life Museum in Fleetwood.

The comedian was at the family attraction to help Wyre's Mayor, Coun David Sharples, welcome the Christmas festivities.

Farmer Parr's celebrations, which run until December 24, include a live nativity scene with a miniature donkey, a baby llama, sheep and goats inside the decorated museum.

Children can also visit Father Christmas at his house, where two hand-reared deer will put their heads through his window to be fed. And they can post their letters to Father Christmas in a special postbox and be sure of a reply.

There is a feast of festive goodies on offer to ward off the cold weather, including mulled wine, parched peas, roasted chestnuts and mince pies. Visitors can bring tins of food to place around the Christmas tree which will later be distributed to the needy.

Children can also have a go at painting pots in the on-site pottery, set up four years ago to provide work placements for adults with autism. Autism Initiative, which has been adopted by Coun Sharples as his mayoral charity, is hoping to extend its activities at the farm and a £250,000 appeal has been launched to build a special needs centre there.

James "Farmer" Parr said that all the Christmas sets were painted by people with autism and by farm staff. "It looks quite spectacular. And we have a big star lit up outside like the star of Bethlehem, so all the children can see it as they approach. We hope it's going to go well," he said.

The centre is open weekdays from 10am until 8pm and at weekends until 5pm. Admission is £1.50.