A POPULAR factory shop has replaced Christmas tradition with what is thought to be East Lancashire's first animatronic Santa.

Winfields, in Blackburn Road, Haslingden, has hired the life-sized mechanical Father Christmas for children who visit the complex.

And he is accompanied by a whole selection of mechanical characters in Santa's Magical Grotto, including a snowman, penguins and other festive characters.

Unfortunately, the children won't be able to sit on Santa's knee, but it responds to being touched, and they can hold his hand, see him move, hear him tell a Christmas story, and sing songs.

The only people children will see are the elves at the beginning and end of the grotto walk, who give out Christmas treat bags.

Dale Winfield, owner and managing director, would not disclose the sum invested to make the experience possible, but it is believed that animatronics can cost tens of thousands of pounds to hire.

He said: "We just wanted to do something for families and children that they would enjoy while doing their Christmas shopping."

June Semeniuk, PA to Mr Winfield, said: "Technology and animatronics is the way the future is heading. Disney and other such companies are moving, and have moved, into computer-generated, animatronic technologies.

"Children who have visited the grotto so far have enjoyed the experience and we have had a great deal of positive feedback.

"We had human Santas many years ago, but it is a long time since we had a grotto in store."

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