Bingley: Grandparents' joy at do-it-yourself Santa's grotto

Grandmother Pamela Firth says Santa will welcome 350 children to her home grotto this Christmas

Grandparents who created a Santa's grotto are expecting hundreds of children to their home this year.

Pamela and Bob Firth, from Bingley, West Yorkshire, set up their grotto eight years ago after finding commercial grottos too expensive.

Mrs Firth said: "At £10-£15 per head, we couldn't afford it quite honestly."

Since November they have taken more than 5,000 phone calls, with 350 children booked to see Santa.

Pamela and Bob Firth prepare the decorations for their grotto

Mrs Firth said: "We have two grandchildren and it got quite expensive to take them to local places to see Santa.

"One place, it was £10 per head, plus £5 to take a photograph."

The couple, who are supported by a small group of volunteers, give any money people wish to pass them to the Yorkshire Children's Trust, although Mrs Firth stressed donations were optional.

Modest Mrs Firth said she felt their do-it-yourself creation "doesn't match up" to the "phenomenal" grottos now a familiar sight at garden centres, but she added: "We do what we can, and we just love it."

Simon Widdop, from Yorkshire Children's Trust, described the Firths as "absolutely amazing" and "selfless".

He added that they "go above and beyond every year to make local children smile".

Visitors make their way to the grotto

Father Christmas in the Bingley grotto, which he describes as "amazing"

And it seems the Firth's efforts have gone down well with the big man in red, too.

Grandfather-of-five Blake Meyer, a retired US airman who plays Father Christmas for the Firths, added: "Pamela and Bob have volunteered to turn their house into an amazing grotto. They raise money for charity.

"That hits a soft spot in my heart."