Santa Claus made a spectacular entrance to a garden centre, trading his reindeer for a convoy of Harley Davidson motorbikes.

Winnersh Garden Centre saw the special guest drive through its plant area to officially open his Christmas Grotto, with help from Woodley Mayor, Cllr Juliet Anderson.

The Ukulele Club brought festive cheer to the morning by performing Christmas carols.

Families enjoyed hot chocolate and Christmas biscuits, while children had a colouring area where they could take home a festive picture.

This year's Grotto has a new location nestled within the plant area, adorned with magical Christmas decorations, including a sparkling sleigh that provides perfect photo opportunities.

Pat Holloway of the Rotary Club said: "There was an excellent turnout by club members and visitors to welcome Santa as he arrived at Winnersh Garden Centre at the weekend.

"Thank you to the Thames Valley Chapter of the Harley Davidson Owners Club for transporting Santa to his grotto.

"All the families enjoyed their experience, and we raised £900 in the first weekend!"

Greg Hutler, Centre Manager at Winnersh Garden Centre, added: "We were thrilled to welcome Santa to Winnersh Garden Centre with such a unique arrival and support the work of the Reading Maiden Erlegh Rotary Club.

"It was a magical morning for all, and we can't wait to see more families make lasting memories in our grotto."

You can still bring your little ones to meet the jolly old man and his elves, share their Christmas wishes, and write a special tag to hang on the tree on December 7th - 8th, and December 14th - 15th from 11am to 4pm.

All proceeds from Santa's Grotto will be donated to the Reading Maiden Erlegh Rotary Club, supporting their invaluable work in the community.

British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 65 centres around the country.

The group is owned and led by The Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.

BGC was launched in 1987 with the opening of Woodthorpe Garden Centre by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs.

Since 2018 it has expanded rapidly with the acquisition of 50 garden centres allowing it to grow from its heartland to the business it is now with 65 garden centres spread from Carmarthen to Ramsgate, Wimborne to East Durham.

The group has a team of 2,700 colleagues working across the garden centres, restaurants, growing nurseries, distribution centres, Woodthorpe Leisure Park, and Woody’s Restaurant & Bar.