HUNDREDS of people are expected to flock to Grange Leisure on Thursday for Stratton’s annual Christmas Frozen Extravaganza.

Each year, Stratton St Margaret Parish Council organises the event, and this year the popular winter festival will have a frozen theme.

There will be guest appearances from Elsa and Olaf, characters from the Disney film Frozen, at 4pm.

From 1pm to 8pm, families are encouraged to head along and browse the dozens of craft stalls piled high with crafts, jewellery and homemade goods.

There will also be a sweetie cart, a cupcake stand and chocolatey treats, as well as refreshments available including burgers and hot dogs all day from 2.45pm.

The event will be officially opened at 4pm by Stratton St Margaret Parish Council chairman John Foley, followed by a blessing from the Rev Debbie Hodgson, the minister at Stratton, Rodbourne and St Andrew’s Methodist churches.

John said: “It will be a great experience. We have some of the characters from the Frozen film coming, including the princess and some of the other characters, and Father Christmas will be there too with the reindeer.”

He added that last year, up to 2,000 people – the vast majority of whom were children – turned up.

“It’s always a popular event. We like to put it on so people in the parish can come along and have a look at some of the services the council provides,” he said.

“It’s the start of the Christmas season for the council and we have several other events lined up afterwards.” Children will be able to meet Father Christmas and have an opportunity to feed his reindeer. They will also be able to write out their Christmas list to him.

They can also enjoy a number of craft activities, including colouring, making door hangers, face painting and glitter tattoos.

Some of the money raised by the event will go towards the chairman’s nominated charities for the year, the Great Western Hospital’s intensive care unit and Swindon MIND.

John said: “This time last year I was in the GWH after I had a burst aneurysm. If it hadn’t been for the hard work of the people in the intensive care unit then I wouldn’t be here today.

“We also raising money for MIND, because they supported one of the staff members here.

“We’ve so far raised about £1,000 for the charities and we hope to double that by the end of the financial year.”

As well as a balloon modelling session, magician Colonel Custard will make an appearance. Grange Federation school choir will perform songs from the Frozen film and Christmas classics from 4.30pm, while the Reindeer Rockers will sing from 5.15pm.

The Christmas lights are due to be switched on at 6.30pm and there will be more live music at 7.30pm in Grange Bar.

For more information about the event, call 01793 823761 or visit www.strattonstmargaret.gov.uk