SANTA Claus swapped his reindeer and sleigh for a Volkswagen Beetle this week when he embarked on a journey to collect toys for needy boys and girls.

Thousands of children in poverty will wake up to a Christmas without presents this year, something Wirral’s schools have been trying to combat by taking part in Radio City Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas.

And Derek Holmes, who runs Discount VW Audi in Hoylake, decided to his play his part by collecting the hundreds of toys donated by 41 schools across the borough.

The father-of-two has been decorating his iconic Beetle ever since he finished restoring it earlier this year.

After decorating it for the Open, Egg Run and World Cup, Derek decided it would be fitting to add a little festive spirit to the car in the run up to Christmas.

Complete with a 6ft inflatable Santa and reindeer head, the Beetle is an eye-catching substitute for Santa’s traditional form of transportation.