It was a surprise arrival with a difference in Thanet this year for Father Christmas.

Santa had hoped to arrive unannounced on his silent sleigh to prepare for his busiest month of the year.

Like other canny travellers he picked Manston Airport for ease and convenience, but like everyone else, he then had to go through immigration and customs and wait to collect his sack from the conveyor belt so it was hard to go unnoticed and he caught the attention of Thanet Extra photographer Matt Bristow.

It was a stag that pulled his sleigh away to business - not a reindeer stag, but a Triumph Stag, a 1970s classic car beloved by many. The whole contraption was arranged for him by the Rotary Club of Margate.

If you would like to see Father Chrismas on his rounds around town then his first dates are from 5.30pm on December 9 and 10 on Palm Bay Estate. On December 12 and 16, he will be out and about on the Millmead estate, and on December 17 and 19 he will be visiting the Poets Corner area.

Father Christmas will also be at Sainsbury’s, Westwood, from 10am to 4pm on December 14 and at Morrison’s on December 21 at the same times.

Rotarian Ray Holdstock said: “Please bring your children to speak to Father Christmas. This is free but there will be a collection to fund the Christmas meals that Rotarians deliver on Christmas Day to the elderly.”

For more information about the Rotary Club of Margate, contact: www.rotary1120/margate