An extra special visit by Santa and his elves to children around Shotley has benefitted three charities.

Donations made by parents and grandparents to make sure young ones did not miss out on a present helped to raise £750, which has been split between the three good causes.

Shotley Kidzone, Shotley Rangers Youth FC and the East Anglian Children's Hospice (EACH) are all beneficiaries.

Santa and his sleigh stopped off at the Shotley Rose on the morning of December 25 to pick up the presents left here to be sorted by helpers and then dropped off around the village to more than 70 children.

Special delivery for children - and a dog