SANTA whizzed into Wellington this week for the town's Christmas Lights Switch-On.

He was greeted outside the Wellington Weekly News by the WWN's very own Welly Bear and hundreds of cheering children and adults who braved blustery wind and rain.

Father Christmas had sent two elves ahead to sleigh rumours the wild weather would prevent him arriving at his grotto inside the WWN office.

Speaking exclusively to the WWN, Santa said: "I'm used to rain, dear.

"It was snow joke flying over the Blackdowns, but I wouldn't let a bit of wind and rain stop me meeting the children of Wellington."

Pick up a copy of tommorrow's WWN for a full story and more pictures. PLUS, who is that with Father Christmas? Are you among our pictures in the WWN's Santa's Grotto?