SANTA's grotto and a carol concert are among festive events taking place for Wirral charity Autism Together.

Children and adults can meet Father Christmas and his elves in the grotto at Autism Together's Garden Centre at Bromborough Pool Village on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8.

Each booking to the autism-friendly grotto allows a 15-minute slot to meet Santa, helping to reduce queueing and ease anxiety.

Pre-booking via the Autism Together website is essential, with accompanying parents or carers able to attend for free, and each paying guest receiving a gift from Santa.

The Christmas Market will be open on Sunday, December 1 at Thornton Hough Village Hall.

The event offers free entry to all with over 25 local artisan sellers inside, along with children’s Christmas crafts, donkey rides and festive face painting.

Items for sale include pies and baked goods; gins; soaps; candles; knitwear and books, plus a range of items from Autism Together’s Garden Centre, including Christmas trees, festive wreaths and more.

The Christmas Concert promises a refined evening of seasonal sounds, with something for everyone, including mince pies and a warming glass of mulled wine.

Headlining the concert on Wednesday, December 11 at the elegant Edwardian country house near Ellesmere Port are The Luminelles, a choir featuring singers from Birkenhead High School Academy who have performed recently for BBC Worldwide and at a sell-out gig at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral.

They will be supported by The Riversign Choir, a non-profit group of deaf and hearing people, expressing songs through a mixture of British Sign Language, dance and drama; country music duo, Tenessee Waltz; and The Two ATs – a musical double act performing Christmas classics.

Chloe Jones from Autism Together's Fundraising Team said: "Christmas is always a special time for Autism Together when we like to share some wonderful events with the community.

"We can't wait to hear the enchanting sounds of The Luminelles at elegant Inglewood Manor, and meet Father Christmas himself when he visits our Garden Centre.

"Plus, the Christmas Market is the perfect chance to pick up gifts, sample seasonal fayre and grab a treat for yourself.

"We really appreciate your support this Christmas. Every penny raised at our events will be used to fund projects to help us support people with autism in Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales."

Tickets for the concert and the Grotto are from www.autismtogether.co.uk

For further information about these events, contact Chloe or Rick at Autism Together on 0151 334 7510 (ex 832), or via Facebook: @autismtogetherUK