DEAF children got the chance to tell Santa what they want for Christmas using sign language during a special event.

There were queues stretching out of the grotto for the special guest at Hamilton Lodge School and College for Deaf Students in Walpole Road, Brighton.

He was there as part of the Christmas Artists Open Houses event.

Fifteen local artists displayed their recent works at the school for the annual event.

Youngsters from special needs schools from the area were invited to meet Santa and get their orders in early in sign language.

Simon Burgess, school manager, said: “It was a really good event, we had lots of children from different schools and from the local community.

“Santa and his elves were all using sign language, it was mesmerising.”

For more details about Open Houses, visit aoh.org.uk/xmas-2014-festival-home.