YOUNG nature lovers met Father Christmas at a grotto with a difference this year.

Children visited Santa 'Claws' in a specially adapted bird hide at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre near Didcot.

The children started their day with a storytelling session where they learnt that Santa wants to keep all the animals warm, fed and safe at Christmas, but he needed the children to help.

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Then they got busy making bird feeders and reindeer food to take home before following the trail of stars to meet Santa and receive a gift.

The bird hide was transformed in time for Santa's visit by a team of expert environmental ‘elves’ - volunteers for the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) which runs the centre.

Charlotte Howe, senior learning officer for BBOWT, said: "The volunteers helped deliver an amazing day for our families with storytelling, sensory play, wildlife-themed crafts and activities, and of course an exciting visit to Santa where he was bird watching in the hide.

"Every child went home with a wildlife-friendly gift and we’ve had some absolutely lovely feedback from the event - a huge thankyou to everyone who helped make it a roaring success, and a special thanks to Santa for making a flying visit to our nature reserve."

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For more information about the wildlife trust and other family events coming up, visit bbowt.org.uk

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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