SANTA has arrived in town from the Arctic to make a note of children's Christmas wishes.

He abandoned his sleigh this year and arrived in St Sampson's Square in an open-top Rolls-Royce.

"There was no snow so I had to opt for my flashier sleigh and take to wheels this year," he explained.

The City of York Council has invited along santagrotto.com to entertain the kids in the run-up to the festive season.

Santa will be on hand to note down wish lists and hand out presents until Christmas Eve, and the cost is £3.50.

He will be in the square every day from 10am to 6pm, but leaves at 4pm on a Sunday and 8pm on a Thursday.

You can also have your picture taken with the bearded one for an extra charge of £3.50.

Graham Fisher, organiser from santagrotto.com, said: "Santa had to abandon the sleigh and reindeers this year because there's no snow. The reindeers couldn't make it because of foot and mouth.

"But he'll be on hand to here everyone's Christmas wishes until the night before he visits everyone's chimney!"

Updated: 10:55 Tuesday, November 27, 2001