HUNDREDS of people lined Worcester High Street to see Santa Claus arrive in style.

Father Christmas, sitting comfortably in a horsedrawn carriage, made his way through the city centre yesterday, stopping to have his picture taken before settling in to his grotto at CrownGate Shopping Centre.

Lively band the Jazz Ramblers led the street procession and accompanied Father Christmas from the Guildhall, along the Cross and down Angel Street.

Youngsters who patiently waited in line got to meet the man in red in person.

Erica Burlace, CrownGate centre manager, said: “The arrival of Father Christmas is one of my favourites of the year. It always draws a big crowd and it is really magical to see the anticipation and the excitement on all the children’s faces when they see him arrive in his wonderful horse-drawn carriage.”

The grotto is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 2pm to 4pm, Thursday from 2pm to 6pm, Saturday from 12pm to 4pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 2pm.