Hornchurch welcomed a surprise, out-of-season visit from Santa Claus last weekend, as Saint Nicholas stopped by to help collect food for families in need.

Lending a hand to the Hornchurch Round Table on Sunday (July 24), Santa was part of a crew on the hunt for items including tinned fruit, fish, pasta and long-life milk to donate to local foodbanks.

Phil Shacklady, one of the organisers, said Father Christmas' trip went “fantastically well”.

“It was really, really good,” he said. “You kind of think, ‘how’s it going to work, taking Santa out in summer?’, but it went really, really well.

“The kids loved it.”

Romford Recorder: Summer Lane, 3, with dad Bradley donating food to SantaSummer Lane, 3, with dad Bradley donating food to Santa (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Local Hornchurch shops also provided food donations, including All-InZ CornerLocal Hornchurch shops also provided food donations, including All-InZ Corner (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Three carloads and more than £400 were collected over the course of the day as Santa and his helpers took to the streets accompanied by a Christmas/summer medley of music playing from his famous sleigh.

Phil said the team also distributed leaflets raising awareness of the Wennington fundraiser set up by The Salvation Army and supported by Havering Council to provide financial aid for those impacted by the devastating fires.

Romford Recorder: Three carloads of food were collected, including a contribution from local Andy FurneruThree carloads of food were collected, including a contribution from local Andy Furneru (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Santa and his helpers collecting food for families in needSanta and his helpers collecting food for families in need (Image: Sandra Rowse)