Where and when you can see Santa and his elves on tour of Hartlepool

Father Christmas and his elves will be bringing Christmas joy to hundreds of youngsters when they travel all around the town on the evenings of December 8-11.

They will be stopping at more than 20 places when children will be able to give their letters, receive sweets and have their picture taken Santa.

Once again, the festive treat is being organised by Hartlepool Round Table with support from RMB Toyota and RMB Auto.

Paul Thompson, chairman of Hartlepool Round Table, said: “It is exhausting, but it’s absolutely magical to see the faces of the children light up when they see Santa arrive into their neighbourhood and on their own doorstep.

“It’s fab, not only for the kids but for the parents and also us as tablers.”

This year’s route has been carefully arranged with the aim of no child being more than a 10-minute walk from a stop.

Last year, Santa received 1,700 letters from children and his elves walked more than 20 miles over the four nights.

Full details of this year’s route are:

Sunday, December 8. North Hartlepool starting at The Tall Ships, visiting Clavering, Hart Station, King Oswy, West View, Central Estate, The Headland and ending at the Borough Hall. Green route on the map. Monday, December 9. East Hartlepool starting at Powlett Road, visiting Dyke House, Raby Road, Town Centre, Burbank Area, Stranton, Belle Vue and ending at the Belle Vue Sports Centre. Orange route on the map. Tuesday, December 10. South Hartlepool starting at Seaton Cricket Club, visiting Seaton Carew, Seaton Lane, The Fens, Owton Manor, Rift House, The Brooke Estate and ending at the Greensides Pub. Purple route on the map. Wednesday, December 11. West Hartlepool starting at West Rugby Club, Elwick Road, Town Centre, Murray Street, Sandringham Road, Hart Lane, The Golden Lion, Throston, Bishop Cuthbert and ending at the Tall Ships pub. Blue route on the map.

Santa will leave each starting point at 5.30pm and only stop at the designated places which can be found on the Santa Map at www.santatour.co.uk It is to ensure that all children approaching the sleigh are safe.

But he will be driving slowly enough around the routes so that children can still see him and say hello.

People can follow his progress live via the Santa Tracker which will go live every night at 5.15pm on the website.

All letters to Santa with a name and address will get a reply.

And all donations received during the week will go towards the tour’s running costs with anything left over going to great Hartlepool causes supported by the Round Table.