Puffing Billy gets set to tour the streets in run up to Christmas

Santa Claus and Puffing Billy are ready to visit towns and villages.

The engine was built by businessman Ian Morrell in tribute to the road train he remembered from his holidays at Butlins in Filey as a child.

In the run up to December 25, the road train will be heading out to communities to bring joy to children and their families.

The train has been the inspiration for a series of books written by Ian and illustrated by Swin Tempest.

A spokesman for the tour said: “Once again Puffing Billy, the magical little road train, will be bringing Santa, Mrs Claus and their elves to a village or area near you.

“It is a great opportunity to bring your children out to meet Santa, and capture the excitement of Christmas, tell them to bring their Christmas letters along and Mrs Claus will check to see if they are on the naughty or nice list.

“Puffing Billy is purely voluntary and supports various children’s charities, including Ward 23, the Children’s heart ward, at the Freeman Hospital.

“We will be stopping at designated stops which will be on the daily route posters, however if people stand in large groups, we can stop for large groups of people.”

The dates and locations of the visit have been confirmed, but the times are still to be announced.

This year’s book is number four in the series and is titled Puffing Billy and Santa’s Naughty Elves.

The tour is backed by North East Mobility Warehouse Ltd, which is run by Ian.

For more details visit https://www.facebook.com/puffingbilly1959/.

Sunday, December 10 - Haswell, Haswell Plough, Ludworh, Thornley, Trimdon Grange, Trimdon Village, Trimdon Colliery and Wheatley Hill.

Monday, December 11 - Peterlee, Hesleden, High Hesleden, Blackhall Rocks, Blackhall Colliery, Easington Colliery, Easington Village, Horden and Easington.

Tuesday, December 12 - Hetton, Newbottle, Houghton, East Rainton and West Rainton.

Wednesday, December 13 -Murton, Seaham, Dalton-le-Dale and Hawthorn.

Thursday, December 14 - Pittington, Sherburn Village, Gilesgate, Durham, Pity Me, Chester-le-Street and Great Lumley.

Monday, December 18 - Shotton Colliery and Wingate.

Tuesday, December 19 - Hetton, Newbottle, New Herrington, Penshaw, Shiney Road, Bournmoor and Fence Houses.

Wednesday, December 20 - Ryhope, Doxford Park, Farringdon, Thornley Close, Plains Farm, Grangetown, Hendon, Thornhill, Grindon, Pennywell, Roker, Seaburn, Red House, Hylton Castle and Castletown.

Thursday, December 21, Fatfield, Rickleton, Oxclose, Blackfell, Concord and Washington Village.