Helpful elves spread Christmas cheer at a St Helens shopping centre by singing, dancing, handing out sweets, wrapping gifts and even carrying parcels.
The elves provided a free helping hand to shoppers at Church Square Shopping Centre, and a touch of naughtiness, doing the conga, high-fiving youngsters and even lifting one unsuspecting shopper into the air.
One grateful shopper had her Christmas cards written and presents wrapped by the elves after a broken finger left her unable to do it for herself.
Jodie Wilkie from St Helens, who was shopping for presents for family members including six-year-old son Charlie Williams, a pupil at Ashurst Primary School said: “This is fantastic, they’re absolute stars. They’ve written all my cards, as well as wrapping three boxes of trainers. I can’t thank them enough as I couldn’t do it myself after breaking my finger at work.”
The elves also helped Steven Woodcock who was shopping for birthday presents with his wife Deborah and children Daisy, three and Oliver, five, a pupil at Rivington Primary School and a keen Star Wars fan.
“Oliver’s sixth birthday is approaching so we were shopping for presents for him and the elves offered to wrap them,” said Steven from St Helens. “They’ve done a fantastic job and it’s a great idea. We came out of a shop and there they were.”
Marion McElroy had just arrived at the shopping centre with her three sisters Pat Kemure, Sheila Marsh and Margaret Fitzsimmons, when she was lifted into the air and carried a short distance by elves.
“I got a shock as I’ve never been accosted by elves before but it was very funny and my sisters thought it was hilarious,” said Marion, from Prescot, Merseyside.
The elves will be lending a helping hand to shoppers at Church Square on Saturday December 12 and Saturday, December 19 between 11am and 4pm.
Shoppers who spot one of the elves around the centre and post the photo on the centre’s Facebook page are in with a chance of winning £100 to spend at Church Square.
Church Square Shopping Centre manager Steven Brogan said: “Our elves help to make sure that Christmas shopping is fun for all the family and they’ve proved very popular.
“While they are generally very well behaved, they can occasionally be a bit mischievous, which the youngsters particularly seem to enjoy.
“We hope our customers will continue to make use of their services during the two Saturdays leading up to Christmas and join in the festive fun.”
More details on what’s happening at www.churchsquaresthelens.co.uk.