FATHER Christmas is set to travel all the way from the North Pole to take part in a festive parade through the streets of Worcester.

Spectators will watch as Santa and his elf make their way down the High Street aboard the CrownGate Express, finishing at their grotto at the CrownGate Shopping Centre in Friary Walk.

The parade, which starts at 12.45pm on Sunday, November 20, will form part of CrownGate's popular Arrival of Father Christmas event.

Sara Matthews, marketing manager at CrownGate, said: "The Arrival of Father Christmas is always such an anticipated event in the Christmas diary.

"For CrownGate, it marks the start of Christmas shopping and a host of free activities taking place across the shopping centre in the build-up to the big day.

"Over the years, we have seen Father Christmas arrive at the shopping centre on various modes of transport – but never a train.

"The CrownGate Express gives the children of Worcester the unique opportunity to be part of this special festive event, riding with Father Christmas on his parade through the city."

The festive train will run until 4.30pm on Sunday, taking shoppers either to and from Angel Place and The Guildhall free of charge.

And there will be special appearances from Father Christmas' reindeer, Dancer and Prancer outside the House of Fraser and Boots from 2pm to 5pm.

Over the festive period, Father Christmas and his elf will be performing the story of The Nutcracker, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Special performances are also scheduled between Monday, December 19, and Friday, December 23, from 12pm to 5.30pm, and on Christmas Eve, from 11am to 2pm.

This year, 15 giant Nutcrackers will be placed around Friary Walk and Chapel Walk, each sporting their own moustache. Children can try to find every moustache and learn the name of each Nutcracker. There will also be a free Nutcracker book available for children, which can be collected from Friary Walk in CrownGate.

And there is a prize up for grabs too: £250 to spend at CrownGate Shopping Centre, for the best #NutcrackerSelfie.

All you need to do is take a photo of you with a Nutcracker and share it on the CrownGate Facebook page.

This year CrownGate is working in partnership with Worcester BID, Worcester City Council and Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre.

For more information visit crowngate-worcester.co.uk/christmas2016