CHILDREN have been given VIP treatment at the newly opened Santaland.

More than 100 free tickets were given out to children through schools and Brownie groups for the opening night of Santaland, a winter wonderland that has been created in Pennington Flash by Ponts Amusements and includes Santa's grotto, a funfair and dodgems for children up to 12 years old.

Santaland, the brainchild of Neil Pont, will be open until January after Clr Sue Greensmith opened the event on Friday.

She said: "The event was absolutely fantastic. Everybody was surprised and all the rides were free.

"I was proud to be there because I just think it is wonderful what he is trying to do for Leigh and the area.

"The feedback from all the children has been that it was brilliant, fantastic and some where even crying as they left because they didn't want to go."

Leigh Journal:

Amelia and Lillie Marsh

The Ponts have run funfairs in the area for more than 40 years and are offering children the chance to enjoy fun fair rides, dodgems, a Santa train towing Santa on skis and to meet Santa in the Enchanted Grotto.

Santa will be there until Christmas Eve and then he will be replaced by Olaf the Snowman from film Frozen.

All opening times are available on the ticketlineL ticketsource.co.uk/santaland. Tickets will be £5.99 for a three hour session which included unlimited time on the rides.