Father Christmas has checked he can still get into his Christmas suit - just! - because it is nearly time for him to start his annual visits around the area.

The elves have almost finished preparing the sleigh ready for its travels and, assisted by his very good friends, the Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club, Father Christmas is ready for his rounds.

The Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club has had to make some adjustments this year as it is becoming increasingly difficult to assemble the required number of collectors to accompany the sleigh, plus ‘Elf and Safety’ has played its part with Father Christmas now not permitted to ride on the float.

However, the club still feel that the float is an important part of the build-up to Christmas in the area, so they will be concentrating mainly on areas where there are more children.

Father Christmas is going to be in Churchstow and Thurlestone on Monday, December 3’ Highfield Drive and Charleton on Wednesday, December 5; in Loddiswell and the parish hall in Aveton Gifford on Friday, December 7.

On Monday, December 10, he will be in Rack Park, Saffron Park and Scholars Walk, Kingsbridge, and on Wednesday, December 12, he will be at Kingsway Park, Trebble Park and Northville, Kingsbridge.

Thursday, December 13, will see him in Chillington and Monday, December 17, will see him in Stokenham and Beesands.

As always, all money collected will be put back into the community over the following year in the form of donations and grants for local projects.

For more details of the collections, please see Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club website – any updates or changes will also be posted to Facebook.

And for those children living in Salcombe or Malborough – fear not, you won’t be forgotten! Father Christmas and his sleigh will be making their way to you on Tuesday, December 18, courtesy of the Elves from Salcombe Rotary Club. All runs start at 5pm.