FATHER Christmas and his elves will be on hand to give families fantastic festive fun on Santa boat cruises next month.

They will be held at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port and the Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich.

On all three December weekends leading up to Christmas, plus Monday, December 23 and Christmas Eve, the Canal & River Trust will be decking the halls with holly for a fabulous trip to Santa’s grotto.

At the National Waterways Museum, regular festive boat cruises will be running along the Shropshire Union Canal.

Families are promised an exciting, fun-packed 45-minute trip, full of carols, games and stories, before children are shown into Santa’s magical grotto to share their own Christmas wishes and choose a special present to take home.

The full experience costs £11.50 or for £8, children can enjoy the Santa’s Grotto Experience only. Tickets also include access to the Waterways Museum, historic boats, cafe and playground for the day.

To book tickets for the Ellesmere Port National Waterways Museum Festive Boat Trip and Santa’s Grotto Experience on December 7,8,14,15, 21,22,23 or 24, please go to https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/museums-and-attractions/national-waterways-museum-ellesmere-port/events

At Anderton Boat Lift and Visitor Centre, there will be three boat trips a day at 12.30, 1.30 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.

As an extra treat, families can also join Santa for a delicious pre-Santa Cruise cooked breakfast, served in the café from 10am. Joint tickets are available for £20 each or £12 (adult)/£15 (child) for the cruise only.

Ani Sutton, Canal & River Trust destination and attraction manager, said: “Christmas is a special time at both our wonderful waterway heritage museum and boat lift visitor centre. Our brilliant teams of elves really go to town with the festivities, giving families a magical experience and a perfect start to the Christmas celebrations.”