SANTA will be visiting the town early as part of the first-ever Stourbridge Sparkling Spectacular.

Mary Stevens Hospice is hosting the free festive family fun event on Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10 to help pull in the pounds to care for families fighting the impact of life-limiting illnesses.

On the Saturday there will be a coffee morning and craft market in the grounds of the Hagley Road hospice in Oldswinford. There will also be children's craft activities, an all-day barbecue, live music, two screenings of sing-a-long Frozen and a storytelling of The Night Before Christmas.

Families who have booked in advance will also have chance to meet Santa, Prancer and Rudolph on the morning of the event.

On the Sunday the festivities will continue in Mary Stevens Park, Norton, with the hospice's annual Santa Jog running alongside another free family fun day, which will include live entertainment, food and craft stalls.

Santa will also be putting in an appearance in the park from 9.15am.

Laura Millard, community engagement officer at the hospice, said: “We were delighted that Santa was able to find a gap in his incredibly busy schedule at this time of year to come and see all the children we've got coming along on the weekend.

"This weekend is going to be so sparkling and spectacular, and we just hope all of the families coming along on either or both days absolutely love it."

The Christmas themed fundraising weekend has been sponsored by Vauxhall Stourbridge Motor House, with Manor Vets sponsoring the 2017 Santa Jog on the Sunday morning.

Jason Stewart, general manager at Stourbridge Motor House, said: “Stourbridge Motor House are proud to be supporting the first-ever Stourbridge Sparkling Spectacular and we look forward to bringing our local community together during the most wonderful time of the year.”