A GARDEN centre is recruiting Santas who will be fully trained to work with children in its Somerset grottos this Christmas.

Dobbies Garden Centre is recruiting Santas who will be put through ‘Santa School’ for its Shepton Mallet store ahead of its festive events.

Santas will be expected to host meetings with children in their grotto and breakfast events as part of their duties.

Preparations will begin for the store in mid-November, with the opening night for the store’s festivities being on Thursday, November 28, at Dobbies’ Christmas Shopping Night.

Training will take place online through their ‘Santa School’, and once each successful applicant completes their course, they will receive an additional in-store training session.

Multiple applications will be taken in order to cover a variety of hours suitable for different schedules.

Dobbies’ events programme manager, Ayesha Nickson, said: “We're hoping to create the most memorable experiences for families in Shepton Mallet this Christmas at Dobbies. To bring our vision to life, we're looking for enthusiastic and friendly Santas who will help us share the magic.

“Whether you have experience or simply love the festive season, we’re inviting applications from the Shepton Mallet area. Our comprehensive training programme ensures everyone will be feeling confident to create unforgettable moments. If you're looking for a rewarding role this festive season, we strongly encourage you to apply.”