Sleigh bells have been ringing across Egremont as Santa and his elves spent a week visiting children to hear their Christmas wishes.

Santa spent last week travelling through the town to help Egremont’s Crab Fair committee raise money for the 750th anniversary fair next year.

And, after stopping off on Main Street on Saturday, the final total collected had reached £1,550 with a further £526 going towards Orgill School.

Pupils from the school helped on the sleigh as Santa’s elves and will use the money for their Rock Challenge dance.

Callum Scott, from the Crab Fair committee, said: “We have been putting on the sleigh for 14 years now, and Santa hands out sweets to kids and collects money for the Crab Fair. This year we have had help from Orgill School kids who dressed as Santa’s elves. I’d like to thank Orgill School for its help.

“We’re looking for support with the anniversary Crab Fair. We are planning a fund-raising event every month.”

A number of events will be held in the run-up to the anniversary fair next September as the organising committee hopes to make it one to remember.

On Monday Santa was in Thornhill before stopping off at Orgill and Castle Croft on Tuesday night. He called at Smithfield and the Pastures on Wednesday and on Thursday he met children at North Road, East Road, York Place, Brisco Mount and Dent View.

He finished his trip with a visit to Gulley Flats, Ling Road and Westfield Drive on Friday before posing for photos with youngsters on Main Street on Saturday.

A post on the committee’s Facebook page said: “The Egremont Crab Fair Committee would like to thank Orgill Primary School for joining us this week. Between us we made lots of children and their parents very happy!”

The next fundraising event is a night with comedy hypnotist Adam Night on Friday, February 3, at the La’al Catholic Club. It begins at 7.30pm.