STEPPING IN: Despite fears children would be let down, Father Christmas is now safely in his grotto in the Shires shopping centre in Trowbridge.
Centre manager Mike Murray launched a search to find a replacement husband for Mrs Claus on Wednesday, December 12, when the man scheduled to play Father Christmas suddenly quit.
Gordon Dowsett, who ran a fancy dress business in Southwick stepped in to the breach.
He said: "I love kids, it is as simple as that. If they ask me I will do it again next year I can't let the kids down."
Mother Christmas, also known as Margaret Campbell-Thomas said: "He's got such a rapport with the kids."
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