A TOWN centre shopping centre has enjoyed another busy Christmas with visitors given a festive welcome in a variety of ways.

Spinning Gate Shopping Centre in Leigh has played host to Santa Claus where more than 2,000 children have been to see him in his grotto with the big man in the red suit replying to the 100-plus letters left in his post box.

The look of the centre has been given a festive boost with its 30ft Christmas tree accompanied by decorations of more than 30,000 bulbs, 8,300 baubles, 20 six-foot wreathes and 40 18ft garlands.

Musical entertainment has regularly been on offer with a host of choirs performing for passing shoppers.

Festive items sold at the centre's shops such as Santa's Superstore and florist Gypsophila added to the atmosphere too.

In the first 12 days of December, more than £500 of presents from stores within the centre were handed out to random shoppers in gestures in keeping with the Christmas spirit.

The centre is hoping for another thriving year after welcoming around four million visitors through its doors in the last 12 months.

Centre manager Karen Cox said: "With so many people coming to the centre this year, we are excited to welcome their return in 2018.

"Our retailers are busy preparing for the sales to ensure customers can enjoy many bargains on offer."

A busy January sales period is expected with plans also in place to organise incentives for occasions such as Valentines Day and Mothers Day.

An appeal to raise money for pregnancy support charity Kicks Count has been launched in the centre with shoppers asked to drop off used stamps in the gold post box between Peacocks and Caffe Dolce.

A convenient feature recently introduced in the centre is an Amazon Lockers click and collect service for online purchases.