Crowds gathered for the annual reindeer parade to mark the start of Witham’s festive season.

Children were delighted by the parade of six reindeers, including two six-month-old calves, which were at The Grove Centre in Witham on Saturday.

The reindeers, which were from Cairngorm Reindeer Centre in Scotland, were stabled in the centre near Santa’s grotto.

Centre manager Wendy Harlow said: “The annual reindeer parade at the Grove Shopping Centre which officially marks the start of Christmas at the centre was a great success bringing many shoppers and visitors into the centre and getting them in the Christmas mood.

“Father Christmas was kept busy seeing children in his grotto in the log cabin.

“The grotto and presents provided by the centre is manned by Witham and District Lions and all the proceeds go to local charities.

“The reindeer spend two weeks making appearances before going back to the Cairngorms where they live free range on the mountains throughout the rest of the year.”