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Santa sailed the high seas into Whitstable on Saturday to put the ho ho ho into the harbour market.

Crowds braved bitter conditions to welcome him in over the water while his reindeers enjoyed a well-earned rest ahead of their busiest time of year.

The event was a joint commercial and community initiative.

Stuart Heaver, of Kentish Trader, thought it would add a nice festive touch to the harbour market held every weekend. And members of the Whitstable and Herne Bay Lions Club arranged for Father Christmas’s appearance and set up his grotto in which he greeted youngsters after disembarking. The Lions also used the occasion to collect funds for worthy local causes.

Whitstable harbour master Mike Wier kindly provided use of his pilot boat to pick up the offshore Santa and bring him into town.

For full story and pictures see this week’s Gazette .