FOUR reindeer will be making their debuts at West Midland Safari Park when it launches its first Santa Safari event.

Father Christmas will be joined by Rudolph, Blitzen, Donner and Dancer when he meets park visitors next month.

Santa Safari will operate on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11 and from Friday, December 16 until Friday, December 23.

As well as meeting Santa and visiting the reindeer exhibit, there will be plenty of other attractions such as the chance to see the sealion show at 11am, 1pm and 3pm each day.

Although the animal reserves and amusement rides will be closed, visitors will be able to walk along Discovery Trail to see Seal Island, Twilight Cave, where there are jumping rats, free flying bats and rare and exotic aye aye, and the Seaquarium.

It will also take them to the Reptile House, Friendly Animal Encounter and the Conservation Area, where they can meet the African wild dog youngsters.

There will also be the opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts in the Lost City Plaza and to visit the Explorers Caf.

Spokeswoman for the park, Wendy Jackson, said: "It is the first time we have ever had Santa Safari here. We have been planning it for two or three years. We really wanted to extend the season and it just seemed a natural progression to have a Santa exhibit. It is a wonderful time of year."

She advised people to pre-book because of the popularity of the event.

Visitors can pre-book to see Santa by contacting 01299 400700 or by visiting www.santasafari.com. Santa Safari is open from 10am until 4pm.