Hempstead Valley’s winter wonderland grotto opens to the public tomorrow evening.

One lucky child winner who entered a competition in the Medway Messenger will be the first to see inside the magical grotto and will be helping Father Christmas to unveil his festive des-rez at 5pm.

Players from Invicta Dynamos Ice Hockey Club, Gillingham will also be giving their support to Father Christmas and they will be giving away a free chocolate Santa lolly to every child that comes to the grotto opening.

The grotto will then be open daily until Christmas Eve.

Mark Rumfitt, Hempstead Valley’s Centre Manager, said, “This year the grotto will be a magical icy igloo grotto with sleeping polar bears and penguins.

"Father Christmas is obviously used to the ice and snow in the North Pole, and last year he thought the ice hockey players did a great job in helping to open his grotto so he asked them back again this year!”

Last year,lucky Louis Bruce Marie won the Medway Messenger’s competition to help Father Christmas open his grotto at Hempstead Valley.

Visit www.hempsteadvalley.com for grotto opening times and news on other Christmas events and late night opening times.