THERE'S a very modern Santa on parade at a West Swindon supermarket from now until Christmas.
Mr Claus demonstrated his 21st century credentials by arriving at Asda's West Swindon store in a Thamesdown Transport bus yesterday, instead of his traditional sleigh.
And children calling on Santa will find he's no longer confined to an olde-worlde grotto but has moved into the open-plan age.
He now has a small area in which to receive guests, and will spend the rest of his time touring the store, meeting and greeting customers. Joining him on the shop floor will be his wife, Mrs Claus who, as a modern woman, has a job of her own, and her own Santa uniform complete with fur trim and sparkly boots.
The store's events co-ordinator, Jan Kilby, said Asda's Santa was "very with it", but that his elderly sleigh was in the garage for repairs, and Rudolph enjoying a relaxing break eating carrots.
Santa is in the West Swindon store until December 23, and meeting him costs £1 of which 30 pence goes to children's charity Barnardo's.
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