A FESTIVE extravaganza saw children beaming with joy as they had the chance to meet Father Christmas.

Hundreds of guests headed to the precinct for the 21st annual Woodley Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday afternoon.

Jack Sulman and town crier Tony Roper oversaw a bumper schedule of activities, with musical performances from Beechwood Primary School and Waingels College.

Youngsters were able to sit on Santa’s knee and have their face painted ahead of the grand finale by The Rock Choir.

Jacques Lherbier, Woodley town centre manager, said: “There was a large selection of new stalls that people found exciting, and stage acts that everyone thought was so funny.

“It was extremely well attended as usual, and the new layout was well received.

“The guests I spoke to particularly liked the grotto and the chance to real life reindeer as well as the grand finale by The Rock Choir.”

As well as vocal talent, guests enjoyed dance displays from Quick Change cabaret, Starlet Dance School and Fiorillo academy of Dance and Theatre Art.

Thousands of posters designed by local schoolchildren were sent out in preparation for the extravaganza, with the winners revealed at the Tree of Light spectacular.

Areeba Nagra, from Rivermead Primary School, was chosen to switch on the lights last week and saw her drawing sent to 15,000 houses.