FAMILIES lined Harwich’s Ha’Penny Pier for the traditional ceremony of the arrival of St Nicholas and Black Peter.

The junior section of the Royal British Legion Brass Band played to the crowds waiting for St Nicholas to arrive at the port aboard the Harwich lifeboat.

In the Netherlands, St Nicholas’s Day, at the beginning of December, is regarded as a bigger holiday than Christmas itself.

The tradition has been adopted in Harwich because its parish church is dedicated to the saint, from whose name is derived that of Santa Claus.

Once ashore, St Nicholas gave sweets to the children before travelling by horse and cart to St Nicholas Church the annual pre-Christmas service.

The cart was drawn by Harwich Horse Rangers, who took St Nicholas and his traditional helper, Black Peter, along the quayside and down West Street to the church, followed by the crowd.

The Rev Peter Mann, who presided at the event, said: “We had a full church for the service and lots of people came out to see St Nicholas arrive.

“The story behind St Nicholas is he is a well renowned Saint, who probably came from Spain.

“He was known for looking after children and sailors, but also being a good Christian.

“Holland marks St Nicholas’s Day on December 6 and here, we see the arrival of St Nicholas as time to get ready for Christmas and remember about being kind.”