SANTA has begun making his usual early festive visits to Wharfedale.

Father Christmas, with assistance from Otley Lions Club, will be making a number of trips to local neighbourhoods over the coming week.

Santa had to cancel one of his first scheduled visits due to bad weather but was due to be back out in Otley again on Saturday, December 14 - on the Cambridge Estate and at Garnett Wharfe - and then on Sunday, December 15 at the St Richards, St Davids and St Martins estates.

His ‘sleigh walks’, which start at 5.30pm and see him stopping at points along the route, will continue on Saturday, December 21 when he visits The Gills and Riverside Park in Otley. Then on Sunday, December 22 he will make his final pre-Christmas appearance when he heads to Pool-in-Wharfedale.

Santa’s movements can also be tracked via a link that Otley Lions Club is posting on its Facebook page.