HUNDREDS of people flocked to see Saint Nicholas and Black Peter arrive at Wivenhoe Quay on Saturday.

The Mayor and town councillors greeted the pair, who arrived by boat and handed out 130 bags of sweets to children waiting on the quayside.

The Rev Erwin Lammens, who led the service at Saint Mary’s Church, said: “A lot of children who were waiting on the quay were very excited to see Saint Nicholas.

“It has been a great event.”

The story of Saint Nicholas and his helper, Black Peter, originates from Belgium and the Netherlands in the 14th Century.

The legend is widely celebrated on the continent on December 6, the eve of his feast day.