THE Santa in a Kidderminster store had plenty to ho, ho, ho about when his grotto was confirmed as the world's biggest after an appeal in the Forest Focus column of the Shuttle/Times & News. Santa with store manager Dave Williams

Officials from the Guinness Book of Records visited Woolworths, Worcester Street, to present certificates to mark the world record.

Interest in the store's plans for the grotto ballooned after a story in the newspaper five weeks ago on its search for a mirror ball to decorate Santa's den.

Store manager Dave Williams said: "It was your paper that kicked this off because you were the first one that ran this when we said we were looking for a mirror ball.

"It just grew and grew from there."

It was not until a representative from the chain's head office visited to inspect the grotto that they realised it was something out of the ordinary.

Nancy Richards, from Guinness World Records, said: " I'm sure the Woolworths Santa's grotto will be a tough one to beat."

The grotto is spread over five themed zones - including an artificial snow tunnel - with 24 animated penguins, gnomes, huskies and snowmen.

A 178ft long winding pathway leads children through the grotto. An estimated 150 have visited each day.

Good causes which will receive share-outs from a £3,000 target figure from payments to visit the grotto are Kidderminster Junior PHAB, Alexander Patterson School, Franche First School and the Royal British Legion Junior Youth Band.