SANTA and his helpers will be swapping their sledge for a narrowboat this year as the Canal and River Trust's (C&RT) much-loved Santa Cruises return to the River Weaver.

On all four December weekends leading up to Christmas, C&RT will be decking the halls for a fabulous trip on the beautiful Cheshire waterway, combined with that kid's festive essential - a visit to Santa’s grotto.

At Anderton Boat Lift and Visitor Centre, on each Saturday and Sunday, there will be three boat trips a day at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm, when families can enjoy favourite Christmas songs and stories as the boat glides along the River Weaver towards Northwich.

Every family will have the chance to pose with Santa for photos, and each child over 12 months will receive a special gift to take home.

Northwich Guardian: Visitors can opt for a stand-alone grotto visit, or they can combine it with a River Weaver festive cruiseVisitors can opt for a stand-alone grotto visit, or they can combine it with a River Weaver festive cruise (Image: C&RT)

A delicious pre-Santa Cruise cooked breakfast will also be served in the café from 10am on each Saturday and Sunday through December.

Joint tickets which include the cruise and grotto are available for £20 each, or £12 (adult)/£15 (child) for the cruise only.

Seats on the Anderton Santa Cruise can be reseved here. 

For those willing to travel a bit further afield, C&RT will also be running Santa Cruises this year from the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port.  

Ani Sutton, C&RT’s destination and attraction manager, said: “Christmas is a special time at both our wonderful heritage museum and boat lift visitor centre.

Northwich Guardian: Santa and his elves will be bringing all the festive cheer you need to Anderton Santa and his elves will be bringing all the festive cheer you need to Anderton (Image: C&RT)

"Our brilliant team of elves really go to town with the festivities, giving families a magical experience and a perfect start to the Christmas celebrations.

“At Anderton Boat Lift, there has been a special pre-Christmas gift for all of us with the completion of the Soot Hill roadworks and the re-opening of the road which connects the lift attraction site to Northwich Town Centre.

“This will make the journey to visit the Boat Lift Visitor Centre much easier for local families.

"It’s great to have this important route restored in time for the start of the popular Santa Cruise season.”