SO many children turned up for goodie bags at Santa's Grotto in Cinderford's Triangle that they had to be given IOUs to come to the Town Council in the week for them!

"It was the only thing I could do – the shops were all closed and so I had to say 'pop along on Wednesday'," said spokesperson Anne Weyman.

"I have never seen so many people at the switch-on, and it all went very well indeed apart from Santa's problems!"

The crowds saw the annual parade led by the Majorettes heading up to the Triangle for the switch-on and grand opening of Santa's grotto and if you looked closely the grand old man looked remarkably similar to town mayor Max Coborn.

Fairground rides proved a hit with the children and there was a great party atmosphere to help things along.