Cinderella at Santa’s grotto

TODAY Herald Express readers get their first peek inside Santa’s Grotto.

Rotarians have prepared a simply stunning Cinderella theme in their Torquay grotto this year at Fleet Walk, Torquay.

Rotarian Steve Holdup of Torbay Display, who creates the animations, said: “We have amazing, life-sized, moving ponies for Cinderella’s coach and Cinders herself will be donning a £3,000 gown, kindly donated by Waterfields bridal shop.”

The charity grotto is at the top of the escalators at Fleet Walk, and Father Christmas takes up residence there on Saturday from midday to 4.30pm.

Santa and all of his helpers, including Hello Kitty and Spider-Man, will be boarding the land train outside Torquay library at around 11.45am to arrive at Fleet Walk for midday where he will greet children and then officially open his grotto.

The Babbacombe Rotary Club, which runs this event, will even be giving out goodie bags to all those children who dress like a prince or princess when they come to visit on opening day, but for one day only.

The grotto will open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm, and then every day from December 14 right up to Christmas Eve.

All of the money raised from the proceeds of the grotto will be donated to local Rotary charities including the Children’s Hospice South West. Ticket purchase will also include entry into the festive draw to win a giant teddy bear. Santa and his elves will draw the winning ticket on Christmas Eve.