FLYING Santa will not visit Southampton this year, it has been announced.

Southampton City Council has said that due to Covid-19, the popular event that sees Father Christmas fly down Above Bar Street will not take place.

This comes after the ice-rink which is normally set up outside WestQuay was also cancelled recently due to problems with Covid-19.

The Flying Santa is organised by the company behind the city's Christmas Market, WELA Markets.

In a statement, Southampton City Council said: "Sadly, the market operators have had to make some concessions to COVID-19 and Flying Santa will not visit Southampton this year. 

"This is to ensure crowds are kept to a minimum and that everyone puts staying COVID safe at the front of their mind."