SANTA and his reindeer will be dashing through Stockton followed by an entourage of local children and dance troupes.

The procession through the town centre starts on Church Road, opposite Splash leisure centre at 2pm on Sunday, December 15,before stopping near the Shambles on Stockton High Street where visitors can join in the singing of Christmas carols.

As well as pupils taking part from local primary schools, youngsters from dance and music groups including Urban Kaos, Apollo Arts, Carnival Beats, Rhythm Train, Page 2 Stage, Dance Fuzion and Full Swing Dance - will be taking part.

Children can see the reindeers up close up in an enclosure near the town hall between 2.30pm and 4pm.