CHILDREN from Devizes' Finnish twin town of Tornio enjoyed the facilities at Devizes School's Camp Xtra last week, just as local Guides were returning from meeting Father Christmas at his home north of the Arctic Circle.

The six pupils and two teachers from Kokokankaankou School in Tornio, along with a number of parents, arrived in Devizes a week ago last Sunday to take part in Camp Xtra, the summer arts and sports activity scheme run by Devizes School with financial support from local companies and help from Kennet District Council.

The children played hockey on the astro pitch behind Devizes Leisure Centre, something they had never done before. They were also able to play football and use the swimming pool and other facilities in the leisure centre.

Ray Roberts, the secretary of the Devizes/Tornio Twinning Association, said: "This all came up 18 months ago when we had the delegation from Tornio over. It was arranged through the twinning association that some children would be able to come over and take part in Camp Xtra."

Hannu Lahteenmaki, one of the parents, is a frequent visitor to Britain as business takes him to Manchester and Sheffield on a regular basis, but this was his first visit to Wiltshire and he fell in love with it.

He said: "It is wonderful here. The highlight of my visit was seeing Stonehenge, which was a lot bigger and more impressive than I was expecting. We have been very lucky with the weather."

His only criticism was the standard of driving on Wiltshire's narrow country lanes. He said: "They drive like crazy people. My heart was in my mouth the whole time."

As the Finnish folk were climbing onto their coach for the long journey home, 28 Devizes Guides were still relishing the memories from their recent visit to Finland.

The high point of their stay was the trip to Santa's Grotto beyond the Arctic Circle in Lapland.

On arrival at the Grotto, they asked to have their picture taken with Father Christmas himself. Guider Gaynor Mapp said: "I spoke to Santa's Elf, a lovely Finnish young man, and asked him the best way for us to all have our photo taken with Santa.

"He advised us that it would be best for all to be together, as he did not wish to encourage rivalry. Therefore, when our time came, we all piled in together around Santa, who did not really know what had hit him!"

The 'elf' then asked the Guides to sing something and they decided on Campfire's Burning. Mrs Mapp said: "The effect was magical. Everyone in the queue stopped talking to listen, the people at the front were visibly moved by our performance we sung like we had never sung before."