Santa Claus took time out from his duties at the North Pole to hand out presents to shoppers.

Saint Nick visited Tesco, in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, where he gave out Christmas crackers filled with gifts.

Presents included a free £30 shop voucher, Christmas puddings, truffles and Prosecco.

A Tesco spokesman said: “It’s our way of saying thank you and Merry Christmas to our customers in a small way. It was lovely to see people’s faces as they opened them up. I don’t think they were expecting it.”

The Christmas cracker giveaway is part of a wider campaign at Tesco to get people into the festive spirit and make Christmas easier for customers.