AN eight-year-old girl from Yeadon was the first person to experience a brand new grotto at an Otley garden centre recently.

Georgia Womersley was invited to be the first person to experience the new Santa's Grotto at Otley Garden Centre after her Mum, Laura Machell, won a social media competition.

Of the experience, Mrs Machell said: "We had an amazing time opening the Grotto! Georgia was absolutely in awe around the whole of the Grotto. The staff work so hard to make such an incredible experience for the children. Thank you so much! We have one very happy little girl."

The Machell family also won a £50 gift voucher and a freshly cut Christmas tree.

"We were delighted to welcome Georgia and her family to Santa's Grotto. It's the first time there has been an interactive grotto with storytelling elves to create a festive family experience at Otley Garden Centre and it feels very special. We're really enjoying sharing the magic with our visitors young and old this Christmas," said Andy Bradley, Centre Manager.

Otley Garden Centre, formerly Stephen H Smith's, was acquired by Yorkshire Garden Centres in July last year and the team is looking forward to celebrating Christmas with a variety of family activities. In addition to Santa's Grotto, there's breakfast with Santa and Santa's magical post box and special festive menus in Hattie's Kitchen.

Tickets for the Grotto cost £20.95 per child and are free for up to two accompanying adults. Breakfast with Santa starts on 16th December, costs £19.95 for children and includes a set breakfast, juice, a cracker plus a toy and a visit from Santa.

Otley Garden Centre is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres family with Tong, Tingley and Bingley Garden Centres.