A NEILSTON school became a winter wonderland at the weekend as the beginning of the Christmas season was marked.

St Thomas Primary held its Christmas fayre on Saturday, offering families the chance to indulge in some festive fun, pick up a few gifts and even meet Santa Claus himself.

An abundance of great stalls, food and games offered plenty for people of all ages to get excited about.

Christmas shoppers could take their pick from glittery ornaments, gifts for pets, candles, wreaths, sweets and personalised family trees in frames, while face-painting was especially popular with the children.

There were also stalls selling items that enterprising pupils had made themselves, including snow globes, candleholders and Christmas cards from Madras Nursery.

Tombolas and raffles offered many fantastic prizes to be won and visitors also took advantage of the home baking, tea, coffee and rolls and sausage to keep them going between activities.

Organiser Donna Dornan said the event was a fantastic success.

She added: “It was amazing. We’re quite a small school, with only 136 children, but we managed to raise £1,533, which is a Christmas record for St Thomas Primary.”

The money will pay for all the kids to go to the Christmas panto, Jack and the Beanstalk II, at Eastwood Park Theatre.