WE’RE used to hearing about driving home for Christmas... but this year we could be driving through instead.

Plans are being put together to host a drive-through Santa’s grotto at the Ashingdon and East Hawkwell Memorial Hall in an effort to bring some much needed cheer to families.

The trust responsible for the hall say they are also hoping the drive-through will help raise the profile of the venue and some cash for a refurbishment.

Trustees hosted a similar event at Halloween and say its success saw residents call for another drive-through to be set up.

Vice chairman David Catchpole said: “The idea is to put it up in the car park.

“People will be able to drive up to Santa and have a chat with him, and then drive onto a stall where the little ones can get some sweets and chocolate.

“We had a drive-through set up for Halloween and it was a huge hit. All the trustees dressed up for it and everyone seemed to really enjoy it. People were asking if we could do something similar for Christmas so it makes sense to do it.”

The drive-through will be free for all but visitors will be asked to make a small donation to the Ashingdon and East Hawkwell Memorial Hall Trust.

The charity is keen to make improvements to the village hall and has already had a new dance floor installed since it underwent a change of management earlier this year.

And though trustees are keen to give the hall exposure, they admit their main focus is making people smile again after the lockdown.

Mr Catchpole added: “We’re all going to be dressing up again. I’m going to be Santa on one day, and there will be elves, Mrs Claus and even Rudolph.

“A lot of people are fed-up after the lockdown so this will be a great way to have some fun again and remember what Christmas is all about. And because everyone will stay in their cars, it’s completely safe for all the family.”

The event will run between 5.30pm and 7.30pm on December 11 and 12.