Children from Basildon were challenged to search for Santa in the run up to Christmas.

Animal magic - youngsters meet Badger on the Wind in the Willows themed walk. Picture: DAVE HENDERSON 5DDW511

Langdon Hills Country Park was host to the event where more than 750 children gathered to "search for Santa in the woods".

The theme of the event was Wind in the Willows where Toad, Badger, Mole and Ratty accompanied the children in their walk around the park.

The children were taught about wildlife and animals at the same time as they wandered the park in a search for a log cabin where Father Christmas was hiding.

Nick Stanley, of Langdon Hills Country Park, said: "Search for Santa in the woods was an opportunity for children to learn about wildlife and animals while taking a nice walk around the park.

"We had a terrific response - this was the most popular year yet. We were expecting about 500 people to turn up but there were a lot more, probably due to word of mouth.

"Santa was hiding in a log cabin which we built for him and he was there waiting for the children to find him and ask what they wanted for Christmas. We brought the magic of Santa to a successful Christmas event."

Published Tuesday December 18, 2001