FATHER Christmas himself is set to visit Alcester, Studley and other villages on his annual festive sleigh ride.

This year's celebration will be slightly different, as Alcester & Stratford District Round Table are not able to have local groups helping out, and can’t knock on doors or hand out chocolate.

Santa will be visiting Alcester, Bidford, Welford, Lower Quinton, Meon Vale and Studley this month, starting on December 5 in Bidford and running for 14 nights until December 18.

The sleigh last year raised an amazing £6,575 for local causes.

Collection buckets will still be used to receive any cash donations, and an online donation page has been set up at www.justgiving.com/campaign/alcestersanta2020.

To comply with social distancing guidelines, Santa won't be leaving the sleigh and it won’t stop during the routes. People are asked to stay at least 2 metres away from the sleigh and elves. The elves, who will be wearing face masks, won't be knocking doors and unfortunately can’t give out chocolate.

Jeremy Harris, chief Elf, said: “After having to cancel all our other fundraising events in this terrible year we couldn’t let 2020 end without touring with Santa and his sleigh. Although we need to do things differently this year, we’ll still be bringing some Christmas cheer with Santa dancing on his sleigh to festive tunes.”

Here are this year's routes:

Sat 5th - Bidford (Longford Cl) - 16:30

Longford Close, Grafton Lane, Hill View Road, The Leys, Wessons Road, Jubilee Close,

Crompton Avenue, Marleigh Road, The Poplars, St. Laurence Way, Ebsdorf Close, Wadleys Close, Pippin Close, Lambourne Close, Bramley Way, Wilkes Way, Blenheim Close, Court Way, Orchard Close.

Sun 6th - Welford - 16:30

Quineys Ley’s, Binton Road, Willow Bank, Church Street, Headland Road, Blundells Croft,

Headland Rise, Headland Close, Barton Road, Barton Fields, Barton Meadow, Badgers Close, Samantha Close, Orchard Close, Chapel Street, Chapel Close, Millers Close, Fraser Way, High Street.

Mon 7th - Meon Vale - 18:15

Chatham Road, Gundorf Road, Camberley Road, Ubique Avenue, Sapper Close, Madras Road, Rochester Close, Rideau Road, Bicester Road, Albert Close, Western Heights Road, Abney Road, Revelin Close, Sharry Lane, Mcbeth Road, Hillfort Road.

Tue 8th - Alcester (Seggs Lane) - 18:15

Seggs Lane, Augustus Drive, Cross Road, Sherwell Drive, Roman Way, Hadrian’s Walk,

Stratford Road, Corinthian Court, Gas House Lane, Chestnut Court, Evesham Street, Newport Drive, Birch Abbey, Boteler Close, Chantry Crescent, Willow Close, Bleachfield Street, Flax Close.

Wed 9th - Alcester (Birmingham Road) - 18:15

Greville Road, Abbey Close, Roebuck Park, Birmingham Road from Island back into town via Eclipse Road, Jephcott Close, Allwoods Close, Ragley Mill Lane, Icknield Row, Station Road, (excl Priory Road).

Thu 10th - Alcester (Redrow & Seymour Road) - 18:15

Glebe Road, Boehm Drive, Kinwarton Close, Fishers Road, Wakefields Way, Kinnersley Road, Kinwarton Farm Road, Seymour Road, Wain Close, Fenwick Close, Horton Close, Rufford Close, Devonish Close, Purton Close.

Fri 11th - Alcester (High Street) - 18:15

Henley Street, Meeting Lane, School Road, Moorfields, Moorfields Road, Rope Walk, Priory Road, High Street.

Sat 12th - Alcester (Conway Estate) - 16:30

Crooks Lane, Beacon Close, Chapman Way, St Nicholas Close, Hertford Road, Beauchamp

Road, Alauna Avenue, St. Faiths Road, Gunnings Road, Vallet Avenue, Castle Road, Arrow

Crescent, Avon Crescent, Smiths Way, Kingley Avenue, Meadow Road, Springfields Road, Kingfisher Way, Plover Close, Heron Close, Aspen Close, Blackthorn Way, Hawthorn Close.

Sun 13th - Alcester (Throckmorton) - 16:30

Captains Hill, Throckmorton Road, Ten Acres, Fields Park Drive, Alne Bank Road, Collins Way, Fairwater Crescent, Alcocks Road, Weatheroak Road, Riverside, Haselor Close, Wharrage Road, Gerard Road, Riddell Close, St. Saint Mary’s Road, Winchcombe Road, Barlichway.

Mon 14th - Studley (North inc. St Judes) - 18:15

St Jude’s Avenue, Augustine Avenue, Corbizum Avenue, St Asaphs Avenue, St Martin’s Avenue, St Agnes Close, St Chad’s Road, Eldorado Close, Archer Close, Monks Drive.

Tue 15th - Studley (South inc. Highfield Rd.) - 18:15

Station Road (part), Highfield Road, Lansdowne Road, Lansdowne Crescent, Hamilton Drive., Stapleton Road, Badbury close, Bromsgrove Road (part), The Grove, Littlewood Green, Lords Lane, Crooks Lane, Fosters Avenue, Allendale Avenue, Allendale Crescent, Allendale Court, Allendale Close, Toms Town Lane, The Newlands.

Wed 16th - Oversley Green - 18:15

Elm Drive, Poplar Close, Beech Close, Stratford Road, Mill Lane, Primrose Lane.

Thu 17th - Lower Quinton - 18:15

Thackeray Close, Stileman Close, Main Road (part), Bastyan Avenue, Park Lane, Turnpike Drive, The Fordway, Poland Avenue, The Orchard, Goose Lane, The Close.

Fri 18th - Bidford (Victoria Rd.) 18:15

Victoria Road, Steppes Piece, Burnell Close, Stepping Stones, Paddock Close, Dugdale Avenue, Drayton Close, Queensway, Scott Close, The Meadows, Old School Mead, High Street, Chapel Close, Saxonfields, The Bank.