Hare Hatch grotto raises thousands

A Santa’s grotto at a Hatch Sheeplands garden centre raised more than £2,500 for charity.

Dozens of children visited the grotto over the festive period and another £1,500 was raised from a bucket collection at the centre near Wargrave. The money will go to the Alexander Devine children’s hospice.

The centre, along with the Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh, organised activities including breakfast with Santa, children’s entertainers and an animal roadshow and also had two reindeers on site. Owner Rob Scott said: “It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves.”