Rudolph didn’t make an appearance but two of Santa’s trusty reindeer paid a visit to the N1 shopping centre at the Angel.

A large crowd of children, and adults, eagerly waited to see the animals. Father Christmas made an entrance at noon.

Adults were in for a treat too. For a small donation to The Children’s Society, which aims to help vulnerable young people, they could bring presents along for a professional gift-wrap service.

Five-year-old Trinity Nelson said: “The reindeer look beautiful. I really like them. Father Christmas also gave me a chocolate lolly.”

Alexandra Hutson, nine, said: “I saw reindeer in Lapland a couple of years ago.

“Those ones really smelled but these ones don’t.”

The event was part of a month-long series of festive activities in the centre, including hair styling, samples from shops and card making.