ADVENT may have only just begun, but Santa and his helpers has already been spotted collecting Christmas wishlists, as anticipation builds for the big day.

Father Christmas joined Witney Lions Club for the launch of the Christmas float tour.

The group are helping to spread some festive cheer around west Oxfordshire – starting on Saturday with a stop-off at Thorney Leys Park, where youngsters were given the chance to meet Santa and tell him whether they've been naughty or nice.

The tour will continue each day up to Thursday, December 22, where it finishes up in Ducklington Village, before Santa makes a dash back to his workshop to check the elves are ready for the final push.

Stops along the way include Sainsbury's, Burwell Meadow, Blakes Avenue, Smiths Estate, Early Road and Deer Park.

The Christmas Float tour is part of the charity's annual festive traditions which also include handing out Christmas Food Parcels.

This year the club has spent more than £2,500 creating food parcels from money raised throughout the year and have been delivering them to nominated families.

The charity works to help projects and other causes within the community and any money raised goes towards its efforts throughout Witney.

For more information on when and where you can catch Santa on his sleigh, see witneylions.org.uk