A group of 12 pupils from a primary school near Shrewsbury have had their Christmas wish granted by having lunch with Santa Claus.

Caravan dealership Salop Leisure invited St Lucia’s Primary School, Upton Magna to bring a group of children to meet Santa in his grotto and then have lunch with him at the company’s Love Coffee restaurant.

The years one and two children were given  Christmas presents to take back to the school to share with their classmates and also had their photo taken with Santa. 

The grotto in a specially made Scandinavian log cabin has been kept busy by hundreds of children and their parents since opening for a Shropshire Handmade and Vintage Christmas Fair on November 22.

Lesley Collins, a teacher at St Lucia’s Primary School, said: “The children were absolutely thrilled to have the chance to have lunch with Santa. It was a very nice experience which has generated some lovely thank you letters and lots of exciting questions.

“As a school, we are trying to forge closer links with the local business community. The invitation from Salop Leisure was a good way to reach out into the community and for our children to have a new and exciting experience.” 

The popular grotto will be open every weekend until Christmas from 10am to 4pm, together with Monday and Tuesday of Christmas week. For a £6 entry fee, children will meet Santa and his elves and receive a gift and a photograph. 

Salop Leisure’s sister business, Love Plants, are selling potted Christmas trees in sizes to suit all homes, together with plants and decorations for the festive season. 

Love Coffee restaurant is offering a special promotion of a hot drink and a mince pie for £2 until December 24 and Christmas lunches will be served until December 19, with two courses for £14.75 and three courses for £16.75.

Shrewsbury Salvation Army Band will be paying a visit on December 12 and 19 to play Christmas carols and complimentary children’s face painting has been arranged on December 13,14, 20 and 21. 

Tony Bywater, Salop Leisure’s chairman, “We were delighted to welcome the children from St Lucia’s Primary School and enjoy a magical experience meeting Santa.  

“We hope to attract hundreds of young families to Santa’s Grotto and our other Christmas attractions. Christmas is a special time of the year and it’s important that we create some magic for our customers who have young families.

“Christmas time is also a great time to meet old friends and we extend a warm invitation to customers to come and have a glass of mulled wine with us over the festive period.”