Royston Fire Station opens doors for Christmas Extravaganza

The event ran for four hours on the evening of Monday, December 4, and followed on from the fire station's successful Halloween event earlier this year.

Families enjoyed steam train rides at Royston Fire Station's Christmas Extravaganza (Image: Clive Porter)

The station was decorated to welcome Santa and his helpers, with grottos, a 24-hour Santa cam, life-sized camels, a gingerbread house and the Polar Express.

Visitors were carried through a sparkly tunnel on a little steam train, enjoyed a carousel ride and were serenaded by the Royston Radio team.

Throughout the evening the team at the fire station gave out safety advice on a range of topics such as fire safety in the home, road and driver safety, dangers associated with water and staying safe with electricity, cooking and gas.

Even pets got involved in the festivities (Image: Clive Porter)

After Monday evening, the event continued to run for the rest of the week to give children with disabilities and special needs a chance to meet Father Christmas.

Around 2,500 people attended throughout the week, and the event raised money for the Firefighters Charity, which provides support to serving and retired members of the fire service and their families.

The total amount raised has not been verified yet, but is estimated to be around £1,000, which Watch Commander Ray Constant described as a "fantastic achievement".

Speaking about the success of the day, Ray said: "It was another brilliant example of the team at Royston pulling together to give back to the community a bit of cheer as well as us getting out the messages that are needed.

Mayor of Royston Cllr Lisa Adams met Father Christmas (Image: Clive Porter)

"Once again special thanks need to go to so many amazing people and companies who made this event the success it was.

"Norbury’s, Nationwide building supplies and Tesco for their incredible donations of materials and sweets.

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"The local councillors Fiona Hill and Steve Jarvis for their help with the donating of much needed funding.

"The town mayor Lisa Adams for her fantastic support and promotion of the event.

"Royston Radio for providing the tunes to entertain and Joey from Meldreth fairground rides and Meldreth steam trains to entertain the kids."