ANDOVER youngsters who thought Father Christmas might bypass the town this year can celebrate because he will be in his Chantry Centre grotto as usual.

Centre managers have been desperately trying to find Father Christmas for several weeks. But once found, they encountered a second problem - where was the assistant who would help him as he greeted boys and girls in his grotto home?

But this week an assistant has been found.

Centre manager, Mr Patrick Hill, said: "We didn't want to disappoint the children so we are very glad that Father Christmas and his grotto and his assistant will be in their usual places from 24 November until Christmas Eve."