TRADITIONAL Christmas celebrations came to town yesterday as Santa rode down King Street on his sleigh.

More than 200 children visited Father Christmas in his grotto at the Town Hall as Islanders took advantage once again of the shops being open on a Sunday.

The first ever Santa Comes To Town event was organised by the Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the Parish of St Helier.

Children were given presents and had their faces painted while mums and dads enjoyed mice pies.

The day also included entertainment at Charing Cross by the Music Originals, La Ronde Concert Band and storyteller Simon MacDonald, as well as excerpts from the Green Room Club’s pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Chamber chief executive Andrew Goodyear said it had been a big success.

‘Hundreds of people saw Santa arrive in King Street and he acted like the pied piper, bringing the children towards his grotto at the Town Hall,’ he said.