SNOW, wind and rain did not put off Santa from visiting Devizes over the weekend as his helpers from Devizes town council pulled together to make sure his annual visit to Hillworth Park could go ahead.

The Christmas in the Park event took the unconventional step of moving indoors this year as snow flurries and high winds made the usual display unsafe.

Sarah Williams, from Devizes Town Council said: “Unfortunately because the weather was really bad and because we have a number of temporary structures such as gazebos we couldn’t safely set up outside.

“We downscaled the event and moved it into the café, but Santa still met all the children and it was well attended and enjoyed by the children. They were delighted to see Santa."

Earlier in the day even more people ventured outside to Hillworth Park and despite the snowy conditions took part in the Julia’s House annual Santa Fun Run.

The sponsored run in aid the of the children’s hospice charity set off from Hillworth Park at 10am with a choice of three routes of 1.5km, 3km or 5km.

Julia’s House Community Fundraiser, Liz Froud, said: “We want to say a huge thank you to all those who came and braved the weather. Despite the strong winds and snow we still had 75 runners take part out of 104 and raised a fantastic £4000!”

Julia’s House provides practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with a life-limiting condition and earlier this year the charity opened the first children’s hospice in Wiltshire.

Visitors at the Julia’s House Carols by Candlelight concert also got a lot more than they bargained for on Tuesday night (Dec 5).

Alongside the expected celebrity speakers, author Penny Junor and actress Stephanie Cole, mulled wine and mince pies were two unexpected guests – a pair of camels.

Penny Junor commented: “I have loved this evening. It was a fantastic service, incredibly moving. It has been a mixture of tears and laughter. The camels were just the icing on the cake. They looked amazing.”