CHILDREN at a farm-based day nursery were rewarded with a visit from Santa Claus after putting on a Christmas concert for their parents.

Pre-school children at High Bank Day Nursery in Stapleton, near Darlington, performed some Christmas carols at the concert in Barton Village Hall.

They then sat down for a festive tea before Santa arrived to hand out some early Christmas presents.

Nursery manager Jennifer Thompson said: “The children worked very hard learning the carols and they put on a great concert for their parents. There were a few surprised faces when Santa made an early visit but they all thoroughly deserved their presents.”

CHARITY DAY: More than 50 singers will take part in an afternoon of live music to raise thousands of pounds for good causes. Thank You For The Music will be held at the Forum, in Borough Road, from 1pm on Sunday (December 22). There will be performances by a young choir, professional singer Sam Mollison, as well as auction prizes donated by Bryan Adams and Newcastle United FC. Proceeds go to Marie Curie Cancer Care and Darlington brain tumour battler Vienna Barras, ten.

SING CAROLS: A carol service will be held at St Andrew’s Church, in Haughton, Darlington, at 6.30pm, on Sunday (December 22).