A six-year-old whose dreams were dashed because Father Christmas said he was too busy to see him was yesterday delighted to find Santa had changed his mind.

Morgan Turner was supposed to visit Lapland UK in Kent on a festive family trip last week but the day was cancelled because of windy weather.

His family, from Kenmure Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, were told they could not be fitted in to meet Santa and visit the winter wonderland on another date as the attraction was fully booked until next year.

Morgan was devastated to be denied the Christmas wish he had been talking about for weeks but was all smiles again today when The Argus stepped in at the last minute to arrange an alternative treat for him.

Along with sisters Isabella, one, and Charlotte, 12, and seven-month-old cousin Freya, he was taken to Build-a-Bear in Churchill Square where each of the youngsters were allowed to make their own teddy bear.

The children were then taken to the Argus Appeal grotto in the same shopping centre to meet Father Christmas nearer to home.

Morgan's mother, Nicola Clarke, said: "It is all fantastic. Morgan is made up.

"We really weren't after anything, we just wanted to let other families know about what could happen so I am very touched.

"Morgan didn't know we were paying for Lapland so for him it will just feel like Santa is meeting him somewhere else instead."

The Christmas treat will continue later in the month when all four children plus Nicola, Morgan's father Gary Turner, aunt Jennie Clarke and her husband Gary Clarke will sit in the Royal box to see Cinderella at the Theatre Royal in New Road, Brighton.

Before and after the performance they will also get free home-made ice creams from Scoop and Crumb on East Street, Brighton.

Julien Boast, the chief executive of Theatre Royal Brighton, said: "When we read about what had happened to Morgan, Theatre Royal Brighton wanted to make sure that he'll still have an extra special Christmas.

"Our production of Cinderella has got beautiful sets and costumes, larger than life characters, lots of jokes, plus songs and dance - in fact, it has everything you need for a magical Christmas treat.

"We're sure that Morgan and his family will have a fantastic time and we look forward to welcoming them here."

Lapland UK is billed as an English version of the winter paradise created for the first time this year at Bedgebury Forest, Kent, 16 miles from Hastings.

The children were sent a personal letter from Santa a few days before they were supposed to visit saying he was looking forward to meeting them. So when Morgan was told they could no longer go he did not understand why Santa had lied to him.

Nicola said: "He was crying and upset. He said: "That invitation was a lie, wasn't it?"