The Rock Shopping Centre will open a free Santa's Grotto next month.

The festive attraction will open on Saturday, November 30 and operate on a select number of days leading up to Christmas.

This marks the first time the centre has hosted a grotto since the pandemic, and organisers are promising a "high quality, classic grotto with outstanding staff".

The grotto will feature a woodland theme, with an archway of lights, garlands, baubles, and branches, creating a festive backdrop for photos with Santa.

Admission includes a free chocolate lolly for children.

Centre director Arnold Wilcox-Wood said, "Here at The Rock, we are firm believers that every child should be able to see Santa, and that’s why once again our grotto will be free to enter.

"This year’s grotto is a brand-new design, and we think our visitors will be absolutely blown away by it – it’ll be sure to get them in the Christmas spirit."

The grotto will be situated in St John’s Square, next to the centre’s Christmas food fair.

The Rock Express land train is also set to make a return, offering rides from Saturday, December 14.

The grotto, which will be staffed by two elves, will be fully accessible and will operate a quiet hour on Fridays from 11am to 12pm.

Santa will take a daily break from 1pm to 1.30pm, during which time no admissions will be allowed.

For full opening hours and more information, visit The Rock’s website or check their social media pages.