SANTA will be pulling up his sleigh and transforming Hatters Row into a winter wonderland next weekend.

Have your Christmas wish lists at the ready as the Horsemarket Street shopping arcade is being turned into a grotto on Saturday and Sunday, November 23 and 24, thanks to a sprinkle of festive magic and a little help from Culture Warrington’s Young Producers.

However there’s a little problem this Christmas. Santa is struggling to recruit enough elves – so he might just ask you to be on his Hatters Row team!

Bring the family – and your festive wishes – and you’ll be sent straight to the Elf Training Academy.

(Image: Father Christmas)

The yuletide assignments include creating a decoration for your tree, designing your own wrapping paper and mixing reindeer food ready for Christmas Eve.

Upon completion of these trials you will be enrolled as an official Santa’s helper, and, of course, have some time to sit down with the man in red himself.

Culture Warrington’s new Young Producers scheme gives young people, aged between 16 and 21, the chance to gain experience and play a key part in running events in Warrington.

A spokesperson for Culture Warrington said: “For many, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a Santa’s grotto, but at this extra special pop-up event we’re also inviting families to get into the festive spirit by teaming up with our elves in the workshop!

“Our Young Producers have been working really hard to ensure this is a magical, memorable and immersive experience for visitors this festive season so we hope you can make it.”

The Elf Experience and Grotto is aimed at youngsters aged between two and 10, and children with additional needs, up to age 14. Santa is also sign language trained.

It is part of the wider Warrington’s Christmas launch, Weekend Wonderland, which takes place at the same time.

Tickets cost £5 per child and the attraction lasts around 15 minutes. To book a slot, visit culturewarrington.org/whats-on/christmas-at-hatters-row-the-elf-experience-grotto