Christmas Crackers!

SLEIGH bells ring: Father Christmas and his reindeer

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CROWDS poured into Oldham town centre on Saturday to see Father Christmas and his reindeers.

The streets were lined with excited children — and the young at heart — as Santa’s traditional Christmas Parade launched Oldham’s festivities.

It was led by Sea Cadets who carried a colourful banner. They were followed by Oldham Scottish Pipe Band and a giant clown, wizard and circus ringmaster.

Colourful characters from the cast of Coliseum pantomime “Dick Whittington” were also joined by giant candy canes, crackers and musicians.

But the loudest cheers were for Father Christmas who arrived on a sleigh pulled by real reindeer.

He shook the hands of children and collected their Christmas lists before opening his grotto in the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre. His reindeer enjoyed a well-earned break in front of the Market Hall before making the return journey to Lapland.

Julia Dimbir, from Rochdale, watched the parade with her three children. She said: “It was really nice. We came especially to see it.”

And the verdict of her nine-year-old son, Julian, was “Awesome! I liked the giant candy man.”

Ronnie Kirby, from Chadderton, was with his grandchildren. He said: “It’s the first time we have ever been and it’s very good.”

Another father added: “It is also good for business, for the shops, because that’s what it needs, an injection to bring money back into the town and get the businesses back up and running.”

The parade was organised by the Oldham Town Centre Partnership in conjunction with the Oldham Business Improvement District, the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre and Oldham Council.

Street performers were out and about throughout the afternoon and there was free parking in Oldham Council car parks, as well as £1 parking for three hours in the Spindles Town Square.

Shopping centre manager Mike Flanagan said: “The parade was fantastic, one of the best we have had with tremendous crowds.

“We have done it now for 14 years and it is a big draw, especially the reindeer.

“I am pleased it doesn’t appear that the roadworks have affected it. want to thank all the public for coming out.”