HUNDREDS of people lined the streets to welcome St Nicholas and his helper Black Peter as they arrived in Harwich - by a lifeboat.

The junior section of the Royal British Legion Brass Band were on hand to play the festive duo into Ha’Penny Pier for the traditional ceremony brought to the town by the former vicar the Rev Erwin Lammens who was originally from Belgium.

In Belgium and the Netherlands, St Nicholas Day is a huge celebration at the beginning of December and has been adopted because the parish church shares the same name.

St Nicholas and Black Peter were transported to the church on a horse and carriage where a special service took place and children were given presents.