Royal Mail - which provides a special delivery service to and from Santa's Grotto each year - is advising children that in order to receive a personal reply from Santa before Christmas Eve they need to have their letters written, stamped and posted by Thursday, 11 December.

An elf told 4NI.co.uk that Santa is extremely busy at this time of year: "He is preparing toys and gifts for thousands of children all around the globe but in order to get the right toys delivered to the right boys and girls it is important for children to get those letters posted to him in good time."

Father Christmas' helper explained: "The letters should be addressed to Santa, Santa's Grotto, Reindeerland, SAN TA1" and said that Santa personally reads every letter and that his team of elves will be working very closely with Royal Mail to ensure that a reply is sent to each one.

"So it is important to include a return address," he said, underlining that as Santa receives around 700,000 letters each year - with the first letter usually received by Royal Mail as early as July - children do need to post their note soon.

(BMcC)