Father Christmas made a dramatic arrival at the Dobbies Garden Centre in Rutherford Road on Ashford's Eureka Leisure Park ... in a fire engine.

Hundreds gathered to watch the spectacle on Sunday morning. Santa will now be at the store until Christmas Eve.

Philip Lawler, community champion at Dobbies, said: “Santa’s arrival marks the biggest event in the Dobbies calendar and we were delighted to welcome so many families to watch it.”

This year for Christmas, Dobbies is supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity which grants wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions.

Customers will be able to make a wish or leave a message for a loved one on the Dobbies wish tree for £1 and all proceeds will be donated to the charity.

Full story and more pictures in this week's Kentish Express.