Hundreds of young children clapped and cheered as Father Christmas arrived at Wansdyke School, Devizes, pulled by Wadworth’s shire horses.

The event was designed to launch the school’s annual Christmas advent fair last Friday, which raised £1,000 towards the school.

Ali Burgess, who is on the Friends of Wansdyke School that organised the fair, said: “All the children came out of class early to see Father Christmas; it was really lovely.

“Some of the reception children got up on the sleigh and had some photos taken and then Father Christmas went on and held a grotto for all the children to see him and get a present.”

More than 240 children took part in the festivities to kick off the advent fair.

Among the attractions at the fair was a human fruit machine, a tombola, a craft room, a choir and a ‘splat the rat’ game.

Mrs Burgess, who has two children at the school, Mia, 11, and Esme, eight, said: “We wanted to do something a bit more special this year.”