Some youngsters will get an early visit from Santa later today and tomorrow as he stops off before the big day.

Father Christmas will be going around the streets of Gravesend and Northfleet, waving hello to everyone along the way.

He is being helped by volunteers at the Northfleet with Ebbsfleet Garden City Rotary Club.

The route will start at the Cygnet Leisure Centre in Old Perry Street, Northfleet, and take in Coldharbour Road, White Avenue, Marks Square, Harden Road, Newton Abbot Road, Old Perry Street, Old Road West, Overcliffe, Five Ash Road, Waterdales, Vale Road and many more in between.

A spokesman for Northfleet with Ebbsfleet Garden City Rotary Club said: "Santa’s Helpers have now finalised the route for his flying visit to Northfleet and Ebbsfleet, for Thursday and Friday.

"Santa has requested that anyone coming out to see him wears a face mask and keeps a two metre distance in line with Covid regulations.

"Anyone not doing so runs the very real risk of going to the top of his naughty list. He has also asked us to again say that he is sorry he will not be able to stop for a chat or pose for pictures this year due to the Covid restrictions but wishes you all a merry Christmas.

"We will be leaving the Cygnet centre at around 6.45pm-7pm to start making our way round.

"We aim to do as much of the route as we can the first night, finishing about 8.45pm. Additional roads may be driven depending on the time but we cannot guarantee which these will be.

"We will also be going down Springhead Park and Ebbsfleet on Friday.

"A giving page for anyone wishing to contribute to Hive Hope Food Bank and other Rotary charities has been set up."

To see a map of the full route, and a link through to the donation page, find Northfleet with Ebbsfleet Garden City Rotary Club on Facebook.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend