FATHER Christmas will be parading around Tavistock in style this year, with a fancy new sleigh thanks to the partnership of two clubs.

Earlier in the year, the Lions’ Club of Tavistock decided that a new float was needed for this year’s carnival princess. Club member Richard Marlow, who used to work for Plymouth’s Theatre Royal as head of props, offered to use his expertise in designing and building a suitable vehicle and with the help of other club members and friends, a beautiful carriage was created which carried the princess and her attendants in great style during the carnival in July.

It seemed a great shame that the carriage would only be used once a year, so in a jointly-funded project with Tavistock Rotary, it has now been converted into a spectacular sleigh with lights and music as transport for Father Christmas, which both organisations will be using in the build up to the festive season.

A spokesperson for the Lions’ Club said: ‘For many years during the evenings before Christmas, Tavistock Rotary members have toured the housing areas around the town with Father Christmas collecting for local charities. This year, children on the estates will have the opportunity to see Father Christmas on his new sleigh. In addition to Father Christmas visiting the estates, he will be at Dickensian Evening, Bedford Square, Tesco and Morrisons with members of Rotary collecting for local charities and good causes. The primary charity for Tavistock Rotary this year is the Triangle Centre in Tavistock and a full list of dates and venues can be seen on Facebook.

‘The Lions’ club will also be making good use of the sleigh and will be visiting six local primary schools in Gulworthy, Horrabridge, Lamerton, Tavistock and Whitchurch before they break up for the school holidays. Father Christmas with his team of elves will be distributing a present to each class within the schools providing, of course, that they have been very good! The pupils have been very busy writing to Father Christmas telling him what they would like him to bring, so hopefully they will be delighted with what they receive.’

The Lions will also be collecting in Bedford Square before Christmas with the sleigh and the money that they raise will be shared between the children’s ward at Derriford Hospital and Tavistock Youth Café.

The members of Tavistock Lions and Tavistock Rotary were ‘extremely happy’ with the outcome of this jointly-funded project and said they looked forward to showing off their new sleigh to everyone in the area.