FATHER Christmas gave his reindeer a rest and flew into a primary school by helicopter for an infants' party this week.

He made the flying visit after a request from the headteacher of St Nicholas's Primary School in Church, Nick Walker.

Mr Walker said: "We didn't think Father Christmas was going to be able to come to our Christmas party. But I phoned one of his helpers and Father Christmas contacted me and I asked him if there was anything he could do.

"So he got one of his helpers to fly him in quickly and then fly him back to Lapland. He came by helicopter so his reindeer could have a rest."

Mr Walker said none of the 100 children at the school knew that Father Christmas was arriving. "All the children went out but didn't know what for.

"It was wonderful to see the look on their faces as they saw this helicopter sweep over the school and their faces were a real picture when they could see who was inside waving to them."

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