FATHER Christmas swapped his sleigh for a lifeboat as he braved driving rain to make his annual visit to Lymington.
The jolly figure in the red and white suit was joined by the town mayor, Cllr Anne Corbridge, as he took part in the yearly Santa on the Quay event.
He began by visiting The Haven bar and restaurant, where a large number of children made their way to his grotto.
As darkness fell and the weather grew worse, it was time for the second half of the festivities.
Despite the terrible conditions Father Christmas managed a cheery yo-ho-ho as he made his way to a nearby pontoon, where the RNLI-owned David Bradley lifeboat was waiting to take him to Lymington Town Quay.
Santa joked: “The thing I don’t like about this boat is that it doesn’t have a roof.”
A few minutes later the vessel arrived at the quay, escorted by a group of other craft crewed by people holding red flares.
The event was organised by Lymington Rotary Club and sponsored by the town council, Redrow Homes and the Ship Inn.
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