Saint Nicholas, the original Father Christmas, will be seen larger than life on the streets of Winchester in the coming weeks prior to his appearance as the hero of the oldest known play in any modern European language.

A 12ft-high walking, talking, giant has been created for the 800th anniversary production of The Play of Saint Nicholas, to be staged during the first week of December in the Great Hall, Winchester.

First performed in Arras in 1200, the play was written by one of France's greatest medieval poets and musicians, Jehan Bodel. Recognised by experts as a masterpiece, it has been translated for the first time for the stage by Hampshire writer, Luath Grant Ferguson, who lives in Alton.

"This is a medieval blockbuster, complete with giants, puppets, original music and bags of action.

It gives us a fantastic view of medieval life epic battles between Crusaders and Saracens, to backstreet squabbles between local thieves and gamblers.

"This is a rare chance to see medieval entertainment at its liveliest--and in England's finest 13th-century hall, The Great Hall itself. As Saint Nicholas was the patron saint of students, we have a magnificent cast of skilled local actors, including performing arts honours student from King Alfred's College."

The team building the giant Saint Nicholas at Hampshire County Wardrobe in Winchester includes sculpture student, Georgina Huntley, and top theatre costumier, Phil Craig.

The giant saint will make his debut in Winchester town centre next Tuesday, October 31st, at 2pm.

The Nicholas in Winchester Project is supported by Southern Arts, Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council.

Winchester's new giant Saint Nicholas brings together two important strands of the story which was to give us Santa Claus, or Father Christmas.

The original Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop, who was to become the most popular saint throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.

The great Bishop of Winchester, Henry of Blois, brother of the King of England, drew on this popularity when he promoted Saint Nicholas. The black marble font, presented by Henry and carved to show the miracles of Saint Nicholas, still stands in Winchester Cathedral. For tickets, ring Music at Winchester on 01962-877977.