CHARACTERS from stories by Lewis Carroll, The Brothers Grimm and Charles Dickens greeted visitors to Heswall day centre's Christmas fair and grotto.

"I didn't expect that", "it's brilliant" and "It was amazing" were just a few of the comments from hundreds of visitors.

The five-tier grotto was designed and created by The Heswall Centre parents, carers and friends' Group, with help from Centre Staff and service users.

Children and their family started their magical journey being escorted into Scrooge’s sitting room, Bob Cratchit, ghosts of Christmas present and future persuaded Scrooge to let the children enter dream land.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Alice and the Mad Hatter welcomed their guests into their winter dream world.

The journey continued to meet Charlie the Shetland 'reindeer' and his helpers from Parkgate Pony Sanctuary.

After making a fuss of Charlie, the Children entered Father Christmas' parlour. Santa's elves made sure there were presents wrapped for the children.

A spokesman for the charity said: "We would like to say a big thank you to Zeb Wenski the deputy manager of the centre for his outstanding creativeness and hard work.

"A number of centre staff, regularly assist at events which is greatly needed and appreciated."

The Friends' charity at the centre raises funds to support the centre’s community voluntary work projects, centre activities and equipment.