PUPILS at St John's on-the-hill will never forget this Christmas, as Santa flew into town.

Lined up outside, thinking they were getting ready to go to their annual Christmas Fayre, the pupils of St John's watched open-mouthed as a helicopter circled above their heads, landed in the middle of the rugby pitch and out stepped Father Christmas to gasps of astonishment.

Before he again took to the skies, Santa had time to attend the fayre and give out presents from his grotto, leaving one child to enquire: "I wonder how much that cost in petrol all the way from Lapland?"

Santa was John Brigden, father of a St John's teacher, who said he enjoyed the flight from one of the school's nurseries, St Arvans, nearby.

The helicopter, a two-seater Robinson 66, was loaned to Santa by the grandfather of a pupil at the school.

After the excitement of Santa's flying visit, the fun continued in the hall where there were masses of stalls set up by the children themselves.

Ranging from hair dying and face painting to lucky dips and pin the beard on Santa. The children had some competition with stalls from local businesses that came to join the festivities with some fantastic Christmas items to sell.

One parent said: "I can't believe what these children have achieved; this school is full of young entrepreneurs."

The Friends of St John's were very pleased with the success of such a wonderful event and would like to thank everyone for their continued support.