Santa Claus is set to be well enough in time for Christmas Eve after catching coronavirus at a village Christmas fayre in Kent.

Known locally as Andy Morris, of Laburnum Road, Strood, Father Christmas had been due to make several other appearances in the run up to Christmas but was forced to self isolate when he contracted Covid-19 after visiting Wrotham on December 5.

Mr Morris, 64, said both he and his wife Rosemary - aka, Mrs Claus, who regularly appears alongside him - had both been ill, but were now recovering.

"I've done Wrotham village fayre every year for the last five to six years," said Father Christmas. "I normally get about 300 kids and it's quite a hectic day - we put the lights on, say prayers in the church, but we haven't done that this year.

"I did a drive-through this year but two days after that I contracted Covid. Hopefully I didn't give it to anyone, but it was within that two or three day sphere.

"We met at the church, then me and my wife sat in the back of a jeep with the roof open and we drove through different streets. "We never came into contact with anyone, we just went round the village, the people came into their gardens and we were waving and wishing merry Christmas and people were taking photographs.

"It went very well, but that's probably the only one I will do this year because of this Covid - I can't do any more.

"I normally do Strood and Frindsbury Working Men's Club - that's where I started - and a couple of schools, but it's all been called off because of Covid."

"I feel OK but my wife is a bit worse. I said it was more like man-flu, but she wouldn't believe me. It's been fine really.

"We've got to stay in until the 19th - then we've got our freedom."

He explained he had taken up visiting fayres and schools after the death of his wife's father, John Skeggs, who had appeared as Santa's representative at Sherwin Knights School in Strood for many years.

"If you look at the size of my belly I'm a good shape for Santa, and I grow a beard for it," he added. "From November to January I am the real Santa.

"It drives my wife around the bend because I really believe I'm Santa. I'm not an actor but you've got to play the part. If you believe it you can see it in the children's faces. That's my reward."

Mr Christmas said he had been unable to undertake virtual appearances as he was not up to date with 21st Century technology, but guaranteed he would be "personally flying around" on Christmas Eve.

And in the meantime he urged everyone to have a good time.

"They asked me to do a Zoom visit but I'm computer illiterate," he said. "I'm 2,000 years-old remember.

"I hope people do mange to celebrate. It's going to be a bit more of a close, family Christmas, but in a way that's what we should be doing.

"It's going to be more family orientated - Christmas should be for the family and children. That's all we've got left so stick with the family, have a few beers, something to eat and have a good time.

"My message is enjoy yourself and don't let this Covid get you down. Stay as positive as you can and I wish you all a very merry Christmas."

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: all the latest news from Medway