IT WOULD not be Christmas in Abingdon without the sight of Santa on his sleigh jingling his way through the town's streets.

Every December the red tinsel-trimmed sleigh is towed behind a car and driven around the town for 10 days.

The festive fun has been organised by Abingdon Lions' Club since the early 1980s and the club's fundraising officer Richard Terry has been busy dusting off the sleigh in preparation for this year's journey, as the schedule of streets is revealed.

He said: "You see people standing outside eagerly waiting for us and it is amazing seeing children's faces when Santa comes to their street. They just completely light up.

"It's such a simple thing but it really has become an institution at this point. It would be hard to imagine Christmas without it."

He added: "I've been involved since 1986 –almost the entire time it has been going. It's also one of our biggest fundraisers."

The sleigh is decked with collection boxes to raise money for local charities and, over the years, Santa and his helpers have helped pay for eight life-saving defibrillators in the town, as well as providing a place for many of the towns charities to fundraise.

The club's dedication has not gone unappreciated by the town with charities stepping up when the future of the tradition was in jeopardy.

Driver John Prior announced that he was hanging up his 'reins' after 20 years of towing the sleigh. When a plea went out on Facebook seeking a replacement, the club was inundated with volunteers.

Helpers stepped forward from Oxfordshire Lowland Search and Rescue, Abingdon Sea Cadets, a former Lions club member, Alzheimer's Society, Abingdon and Radley Guides, Thomas Reade Primary School and OASIS autism group.

Mr Terry said he hoped the tradition continued for many years to come, saying: "We love to do it to make the children smile but being able to fund things like the defibrillators is a fantastic thing as well."

Excitable children can expect to spot Santa and his wooden sleigh from 6-8pm, from December 4-15.

Stops include Audlett Drive, Boulter Drive and Hanson Road with a full list of streets available from Abingdon Lions' Club.

Santa and his sleigh will debut on December 2 at the Christmas Extravaganza heading a parade through the town centre at midday.

This year the town will also welcome 90s pop group The Honeyz to perform on stage, and the band will be joined by a lucky competition winner to switch on the Christmas lights.

The big switch on will take place at 6pm and will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display by Wallingford-based Illusion Fireworks.

To see a full schedule of the day visit the Abingdon Chamber of Commerce website.