PUPILS from St Chad's School in Hanmer have enjoyed the great outdoors for the school's annual Christmas Tree Walk event.

The event was held on December 1 and saw pupils from the school welcomed onto the the Hanmer family estate to choose their Christmas trees.

It has now become a tradition for the Year 6 pupils to choose, chop down and carry the tree the three miles back to school.

Fortunately for the pupils, the weather was pleasant and the children enjoyed the freedom of the great outdoors, signifying the start of the festive season.

On their return to school, there was a visitor waiting to greet them at the mere.

Father Christmas had stopped off at Hanmer Stores to ask for directions and with the help of staff and PCSO Griffith-Hughes, he was soon on his way again after wishing the children a very happy Christmas.