Coronavirus has put many things to a stop this year, but one tradition that will thankfully be carrying on as usual is that of Santa spreading some Christmas cheer around the streets of Biddulph.

As he has done for many years, Santa will still be doing his tour of Biddulph this Christmas in the event organised by Biddulph Rotary Club - and is starting tonight (Monday, 7th December).

A spokesperson for Biddulph Rotary Club provided more information about why Santa is still touring Biddulph this year.

They said yesterday (Sunday): "Santa was at Glebe Farm yesterday and today, with the kind permission of a fellow Rotarian from the Biddulph Rotary club. His offer was given last week before the Government made their Christmas announcements public.

"As a club we had thought that this would have been the only availability Santa would have had to enthral the children of Biddulph. Before that we had no idea that we could even contemplate Santa coming to the area. That is the reason he is at Glebe farm. It all comes down to how this had to be planned.

"Since these further announcements, it is now possible for The Rotary Club of Biddulph to help Santa to tour the local areas of Knypersley, Biddulph and Biddulph Moor. As a tradition, which he has done for many years."

A tracker app is being used to find where Santa is in real time each night, and it can be downloaded by clicking here.

Santa will be using his smartphone each night, so residents can track which street he is on at different times.

His route for this week, starting at 6pm each night, is as follows

Monday, 7th December (tonight)

Start - Knype Crossroads, Newpool Rd, Towerhill Rd, Mansfield Dr, Lotus Ave, Lyneside Rd, (up) Brown Lees Rd, Tunstall Rd, Conway Rd (up),Harlech Dr, Denbigh Close, (return to) Conway Rd (up), Park Lane (down) Traffic Lights - End.

Tuesday, 8th December

Start - Sallyann's Park Lane (up), Mill Hayes Rd, (right into) Orme Rd, (right into) Colwyn Dr, Mill Hayes Rd (left), over to St Davids Way, Left into Pen-Y-Bont Wk, (turn at end back to) St David's way (down), continues as Cornfield Rd, (left into) Swallow Wk (turn at end back to) Cornfield Rd (down), (right into) Bluebell Cl (turn at Bottom) back to Cornfield Rd, (right into Moorland Rd (down to bottom) - End.

Wednesday, 9th December

Start - Springfield Rd, (up), Duke St. Springfield Rd, (down) (left into) Lord St, Curch Rd (up) (left into) Edgeley Rd, (right into) Springfield Rd (up) (right into ) Greenfield, (Right into) Queen's Dr, Church Rd (up) (left into Queen's Dr,(right into) Greenfield, (right into) Springfield Rd, (continue along) Mayfield Ave (right into) Woodland St, (left into) Lynmouth Close, (left into) Woodland St,

(down) (left into) Warwick St, (left into) St John's Rd (left into) Castle View, (turn at bottom back to) St John's Rd (up) (left into) Knowle Rd, (Return to) St John's Rd (left and onto Roundabout) - End.

Thursday, 10th December

Start - Princes St, (left into) St John's Rd (left into) Lawton St, (down) (left into) Highfield Road East, (right into) Well St, (right into) Highfield Road West, (down) (left into) Lawton St, Congleton Rd (up) (left) John St, (left into) Moorfield Ave, (left into) Well St,(right into) Shepard St, (right) Slater St,(right) John St, Down to Monument End.

His routes for week two will be revealed later this week.

The spokesperson continued: "This year Santa will be driving past, waving to you all. His Reindeer are keen to get round to see everyone, but sadly because of restrictions, they cannot stop. We have also arranged for Santa to spend 3 days in Biddulph as a static grotto.

"It is a sadness, that after approaching Sainsburys, they declined Santa this years application to be on their car park.

"With fabulous timing, the town hall have kindly stepped-in and helped everyone by decorating the bus hub / bus station, and Santa will be in there on 21/22/23 December – times are to be confirmed, but would likely be from 11am till 3pm.

"This is significant as it will allow those who cannot drive to see Santa, just by walking down to the bus hub, in Biddulph.

"We must of course abide the 2M ruling as instructed by the Government. Christmas is not so much about opening presents, but opening our hearts. We would like to wish you all a happy and safe Christmas."