Please note, this is an archived story. Please check the date above.

Delighted children received presents from Santa

Organisers from the Friends of Herristone Park were stunned by the numbers taking part in the first community event held there since the friends group was formed to improve the park and encourage greater use.

Adults enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies while the children tucked into tangerines and listened to Christmas carols played by Crumpsall Comets band.

Father Christmas arrived to huge cheers from the waiting crowd and his helpers had to replenish his gift sack twice to meet demands from hordes of excited youngsters.

The day culminated in a raffle with prizes donated by almost every shop and business on Lansdowne Road and Crumpsall Lane.

Visitors were also asked to complete a questionnaire on the day so that the friends group could gather information on who uses the park and why and there was a chance to meet park wardens and the new security team.

Users were also invited to attend a public meeting on January 10 at 7.15pm at Crumpsall Labour Club when proposals to improve the park will be discussed.

All money raised on the day will be ploughed back into the park to fund future events and activities at Herristone Park.

Group secretary Chris Humphreys was delighted by the turn-out on the day and thanked staff from Manchester City Council's leisure services department as well as Manchester Healthy Living for their contribution to the day's success.

She said: "There were three times as many people as we'd expected and, as we had only a handful of volunteers on the day, we were run off our feet trying to make sure everyone was kept happy, but it was well worth it to see the park so packed.

"We're already beginning to plan another community event this summer. We're hoping at least some of those people who attended the Christmas Grotto will want to become more involved in the friends group so we're not so overwhelmed.

"It was a good day. It stayed dry and I think most people enjoyed themselves. We're very grateful to all the local businesses that supported us and the organisations which helped make it possible."