Ilfracombe RNLI Christmas event is a Cracker

SANTA will be arriving by lifeboat on Saturday at Ilfracombe RNLI s Christmas Cracker event at the Landmark Theatre. The free event runs from 11am-4pm and children should arrive early to greet Santa and his elves as they turn up at the theatre at 11.15am

SANTA will be arriving by lifeboat on Saturday at Ilfracombe RNLI's Christmas Cracker event at the Landmark Theatre.

The free event runs from 11am-4pm and children should arrive early to greet Santa and his elves as they turn up at the theatre at 11.15am aboard the new Ilfracombe Inshore Lifeboat Deborah Brown II, met by RNLI mascot Stormy Stan.

Then children can meet Santa in his grotto throughout the day until 3.30pm. There will also be a variety of Christmas gifts for sale in the theatre foyer to suit all ages and tastes.

In the Pavilion RNLI volunteers will be manning stalls that include RNLI souvenirs, toy and bottle tombolas, lucky dip, "X marks the spot," handmade items and raffles for a Christmas hamper and a framed print of Ilfracombe harbour by artist John Baxter.

Due to generous donations from some lifeboat supporters, there will be two extra stalls this year, one selling dinosaurs and the other, dolls collected over many years - with all proceeds going to the RNLI.

Festive carols will be provided by local school choirs and refreshments, including Christmas cream teas, will be served all day.

New for this year will a "message tree," with an opportunity to write a Christmas message to the Ilfracombe Lifeboat station crew. There will be a competition running all day to choose someone to present the messages to the crew.