SANTA will be making an appearance in Tranent and nearby villages this Christmas for the fifth year... and there are hopes to build a new sleigh for the festivities.

Santa Tours of Tranent and the Surrounding Villages was set up in 2020, when children were unable to visit Santa due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Taking place on Sunday, December 22, Santa will begin his tour in Tranent and then travel around New Winton and Pencaitland before finishing in Macmerry.

He will be accompanied by Mrs Claus and his elves, waving to children as they go past.

The route has been changed slightly since last year due to some streets being quiet, and to incorporate new houses in the villages.

This year, the event has been upgraded thanks to support from a few kind individuals, with plans to build a new sleigh for Santa to greet children from instead of the normal car.

Children get the chance to see Santa as he is driven through the villages' streetsPaula Waugh, who first organised the event, takes on the role of Mrs Claus and drives the team through the mapped-out route.

She said: "This is one of our favourite days of the year.

"It’s just an amazing feeling seeing all the children's faces light up when they see Santa, it makes all the organising worthwhile.

"Also, all the positive comments on Facebook from parents after the kids have seen Santa is fabulous too and much appreciated."

Paula is guided along by her nieces Eva and Freya Knox, who dress as elves and post updates of their travels on social media so that everyone gets the chance to see Santa. 

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Mark Innes from Tartan Timber Company, which is based in Tranent and has offered support to many community projects since the business was set up earlier this year, has again stepped forward to lend a hand.

Mark has offered the use of his vehicle for the tour and will also supply the wood for the new sleigh.

Paula’s husband Paul has agreed to build the decorative vehicle, which will then be painted and adorned by family and friends.

Local farmer Iain Hastie has agreed to safely store the sleigh throughout the rest of the year.

Previously, the full event has been funded by the organisers, who paid for the fuel, decorations and costumes.

This year, they have opened a fundraiser to help with costs and are hoping to raise £250.

Most of the money raised will go towards decorating the sleigh, paying for items including paint, lights, boxes, wrapping paper, fixtures and fittings.

Paula added: "We want to make the sleigh the best it can be. We want it to have the wow factor!"

Donations for the 2024 Santa Tour can be made at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/santatours