A WELL-LOVED Christmas float will be out and about this December - despite coronavirus.

Prestatyn Rotarians will be helping Father Christmas visit the town this festive season but safety measures are in place and the float will be operating 'very differently' to previous years.

Martin Cotgreave, Prestatyn Rotary president, said: "This has been such a difficult year for everyone, and while Christmas might not be completely as normal, we really wanted to spread some festive cheer and try to collect money for our local charities which have really struggled to raise funds in 2020.

“On the mobile runs, around the the streets, Father Christmas will have to stay on the float at all times. As you know he is very old, but he hasn't had the vaccine yet so he's very sorry he won't be able to talk to the children this year, nor will he be giving out sweets. So please let your children know that Santa will just be driving past slowly and waving to them from the float.”

Santa has sent a personal message to everyone in the area from his home in the North Pole.

Santa will also be on the float at Lidl, Tesco and in Prestatyn High Street but again - residents should not expect it to be the same as in previous years.

Santa will stay on the float at all times and will be able to talk to children there but they will have to keep at least two-metres away.

Rotary helpers will be on hand to ensure everyone keeps safe.

Tony England, rotary treasurer, will be looking after money collected.

Outlining the different ways people can donate, he said: "Where the float is static, there'll be collecting buckets for cash donations and we also have a contactless card machine so those of you who use card and mobile payments etc will also be able to help our local charities.

"Donations from £1 upwards can also be made through our website and we'll be displaying a QR Code which links to our VirginMoneyGiving page.

"On the mobile runs, Santa's helpers will be walking along with the float with socially distanced collecting tins on poles.

"Any coins you can give will be gratefully received on behalf of our charities this year, which are St Kentigern Hospice, Childline Prestatyn and the Prestatyn and Meliden Foodbank.”

Rhyl Journal:

Prestatyn Rotary President Martin Cotgreave w determined that the Christmas float will be out and about this December

Prestatyn Rotary Christmas Float December 2020 route:

  • Thursday, December 10 - leaving High Street about 5.30pm Parc Bodnant, Gronant, Gwespyr.
  • Friday, December 11 Meliden leaving Prestatyn High Street about 5.30pm Manod Road, Glasfryn Avenue, Brynllys West, Ffordd Tanrallt, Ffordd Talargoch, The Grove, Maes Meurig, Ffordd Pennant, Ffordd Penrhwylfa, Roundwood Avenue, Garwyn Avenue, Graham Avenue.
  • Saturday, December 12 – Lidl Prestatyn 10am until 4pm
  • Sunday, December 13 Rhuddlan - Starting at Parc Tirionfa about 5.30pm: Parc Tirionfa, Tirionfa, Heol y Hendre, Grenville Avenue, Conwy Avenue, Seymour Drive, Princes Road, Castle Street, Gwindy Street, Kerfoot Avenue, Berllan Avenue, Clos Y Berllan, Clwyd Avenue, Vicarage Lane, Rhodfa Anwyl, Lon Cwybyr, Ffordd Ffynnon, Ffordd Ganol, Barrfield Road, Highlands Road.
  • Tuesday, December 15 Jolly Sailor area - starting High Street about 5.30pm. Fford Ffynnon, Alexandra Drive, St Margaret's Avenue, Clwyd Court, St Annes Avenue, Ffordd Penrhwylfa, Ffordd Pant y Celyn, Lon Ceiriog, Lon Tilsli, The Broadway, Llandaff Drive, Winchester Drive, Chichester Drive, Canterbury Drive, Salisbury Drive, St Asaph Drive, Bangor Crescent.
  • Wednesday, December 16 Fforddisa area - starting High Street about 5.30pm. Ffordd Pendyffryn, Banastre Avenue, Central Avenue, South Avenue, Dawson Drive, Fforddisa, The Meadows, Heather Crescent, Princes Avenue, Gordon Avenue, Fairview Crescent, Fairview Avenue, Knowles Avenue, St Andrews Drive, St Georges Drive, Lon Goed.
  • Thursday, December 17 – Dyserth. Starting about 5.30pm. Cysgod y Graig, Glan Ffyddion, Parc Gwelfor, Maes Esgob, Waterfall Hill, Cwm Road, Ffordd Ffynnon, St Asaph Road, Weavers Lane, Maes Hyfryd, Bryn Hyfryd, High Street, Thomas Avenue, Lower Foel Road.
  • Friday, December 18 – Marion Road and Beverley Drive - starting High Street about 5.30pm. Marion Road, Garnett Drive, Roy Avenue, Green Lanes, Clive Avenue, Arfon Avenue, Franklyn Avenue, Charleston Avenue, Irene Avenue, Christina Avenue, Stephen Road, Ceri Avenue, Russell Drive, Morgan Road, Catherine Avenue, Morris Avenue, Russell Drive, Ceri Avenue, Seabank Drive, Overton Avenue, Milmor Way, Penley Avenue, Archers Green, Beverley Drive.
  • Sunday, December 20 – Tesco Prestatyn 10am until 4pm.
  • Sunday, December 20 Sandy Lane, Tower Gardens and Grosvenor Road. Starting High Street about 5.30pm. Sandy Lane, Glan y Gors, Pen Tywyn, Tower Gardens, Grosvenor Road, Trevor Road, Sea Road.
  • Monday, December 21 - Marine Road area - starting High Street about 5.30pm Bastion Road, The Mall, First Avenue, Beach Road West, Beach Road East, Marine Road East, Warren Drive, Marine Road, Highbury Avenue.
  • Tuesday, December 22. Upper Prestatyn East - starting High Street about 5.30pm Nant Hall Road, Upper Gronant Road, Kirby Avenue, Nant Drive, Ffordd Onnen, Norman Drive, Tudor Avenue, Gronant Road, Aberconway Road, Bosworth Grove, East Avenue, Talton Crescent, West Avenue, Linden Walk, Mount Ida Road, Pendre Avenue.
  • Wednesday, December 23. Upper Prestatyn West - starting High Street about 5.30pm Clwyd Avenue, Mostyn Avenue, Plas Avenue, Fforddlas, Stoneby Drive, Plas Uchaf Avenue, Bryntirion Drive, Bryntirion Avenue, Stoneby Drive, Orme View Drive, Calthorpe Drive, The Avenue, Clayton Drive, Coed Mor Drive, Oakhill Drive.
  • Christmas Eve – Prestatyn High Street 9am until 4pm.