Christmas arrives in four-legged form at Elveden

Christmas is in full swing in a corner of Suffolk this year.

Every weekend throughout December Newfoundland dogs will tow trees to cars at Elveden, near Thetford, while Father Christmas greets youngsters in his grotto, visitors enjoy an original Victorian carousel and the Elveden Elves assist shoppers.

For ten years, the Newfoundland Dogs have been taking Elveden Christmas trees to shoppers’ cars using decorated little carts. The service works on a donation-only basis, with all money going to charity.

Father Christmas will be arriving every Saturday and Sunday until December 18, at around 10.30am on his mini tractor.

After a lap of the Christmas trees to wave to the children, he will ride the carousel and then take to his grotto to see the children. A visit to Father Christmas costs �5 per child, including a traditional toy and sapling. Adults without children are not excluded from a visit to Santa.

The Elveden Shopping Courtyard is also open daily from 9.30am until 5pm from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm on Sundays and until 7pm on Wednesdays throughout December for late night shopping. Christmas trees are available daily up until Christmas.