Could conservatories serve as Grottos this Christmas?

While Father Christmas may be more used to entering people's homes through the chimney, at one Essex property this year he will be coming in through the doors of a conservatory.

According to the Essex Echo, Jackie Davies, 62, from Southend, has transformed her conservatory into a Grotto, where children from the local school can come and visit Santa.

The Grotto is free to visit, but it is hoped people will give donations which can be passed on to Kingsdown Special School, which Ms Davies' eight-year-old grand-daughter attends.

"We used to do all the lights outside, but we decided to have some of them inside this year, meaning we can have Father Christmas and the parents can come in for tea and mince pies," she said of her festive conservatory.

Conservatories could also prove a useful space this year for putting up the Christmas tree and opening presents, serving the extended family dinner or hosting a grown-up New Year's Eve party.

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Written by Ted Powell