EARLY Christmas cheer was brought to the city at the weekend by a range of festive events.

Local politicians escaped from their commitments for an afternoon in order to host the Labour Party's Christmas fair at the Guildhall.

York MP Hugh Bayley was among those who browsed through stalls, met Santa Claus and enjoyed home-made refreshments.

Coun Liz Edge said: "It was mainly to get away from the humdrum of council work for a while and build up a bit of community spirit.

"It was very well attended this year. People just came in and bought odds and ends. We gave sweets to all the kids and it cost £1 to get a present from Santa."

The money raised is going to the women of Afghanistan.

Hundreds of excited youngsters also flocked to Santa's Grotto at Monks Cross shopping Park, York, for its opening weekend.

A spokesman for the shopping park said the grotto, sponsored by the Evening Press and Nestl, attracted 50 per cent more visitors on its opening day than it did last year.

Spokesman Mark Brayshaw said the atmosphere was really festive and shoppers were getting into the Christmas spirit.

He said: "It got off to a great start - we had a couple of hundred people visiting in the first couple of hours.

"We are probably about 50 per cent up on last year."

Also over the weekend Rocking Rudolph proved a big hit with the children at Toys 'R' Us at Clifton Moor.

The Evening Press-sponsored Minster Lions float was parked outside the store on Saturday as volunteers collected donations from shoppers.

Youngsters were also keen to be pictured with the reindeer.

Tony Chapman, store manager at Toys 'R' Us, said: "We have got the Christmas music on and Rocking Rudolph really adds to the festive atmosphere.

"There were a few people taking pictures. The kids are made up when they see Rudolph, they think it's a real hoot."

Yesterday Rocking Rudolph made the journey back to Monk Cross Shopping Park, where he helped to launch the Christmas lights on Friday night. He again made an impact on Christmas shoppers.

He will be out again on Tuesday when he will be circulating in the Heworth area between 6.30pm and 9pm.

All the money raised by Rocking Rudolph will go into Minster Lions' funds to be distributed to local good causes.

Updated: 12:37 Monday, December 03, 2001