Santa Claus is still coming to town in Chirk this year – and the town had its own John Lewis-style Christmas video to announce the news.

For six years, Matt Fleet, known as Chirk Santa to many in the town, has brought joy to the area during the festive period with a Santa float travelling around the town.

He thought his plans may have been dashed this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but after extensive planning, Matt has gained permission from Chirk Town Council to go ahead with the annual Santa tour of the town, providing social distancing and sanitisation is in place.

Matt felt it was important to give children in the town something to be excited about after a difficult year.

He said: “Children have missed out on birthday parties and Bonfire Night, which is a massive event in Chirk and I’d go as far as saying one of the best displays in Wales.

“We’ve all missed that, so this is something we really, really wanted to do to make the kids extra happy for Christmas.”

Matt and his friend, Duane Williams, put together a short video to announce that Santa would be coming to Chirk this year, and it has been well-received and shared by viewers on Facebook.

The video, which looks like it has been inspired by the annual Christmas adverts we are used to seeing on television, features Matt receiving a note from Father Christmas asking for help.

He said: “It was just something that was meant to be a quick video – it was shot in about an hour and a half and my friend edited it for about 24 hours and came up with that.

“It blew my mind, it is amazing. It’s been well-received and shared a lot on social media, it’s great.

“I’ve been asked if I can do it in other areas but unfortunately, I won’t be able to – hopefully, someone in those areas can do something similar though.”

Under normal circumstances, Santa and his helpers drop off chocolates and cookies at Chirk Hospital and Chirk Court Care Home, but this year they are unable to visit those premises, so will be raising money for them both instead through an online fundraiser.

Money will also be collected on the night and will be left in the bucket for 72 hours before it is counted.