A local charity is celebrating Christmas with its own seasonal shopping weekend and a 'virtual' Santa's Grotto.

Autism Together, which provides support to autistic adults and families across Wirral and West Cheshire, has created these two events to help raise much-needed funds for the charity.

The festive shopping weekend is taking place at Autism Together's recently reopened Bromborough Pool Garden Centre, giving the opportunity for the public to grab a range of Christmas gifts, with many items made by autistic adults the charity supports.

The Festive Weekend event takes place on Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of December, between 10am and 4pm.

During this time the Garden Centre and Café will be fully open, offering festive treats in the café, a great selection of seasonal plants for sale, plus a range of hand-crafted gifts and a prize tombola too.

Emma Crabb, who manages the Bromborough Pool Garden Centre, said:

"We're looking forward to opening our doors to the public for this very special festive weekend.

"If you're after seasonal gifts and treats then you'll love the items we have on sale, with many handmade creations from the people we support, including Christmas wreaths, beautiful baskets, and intricate ceramics too. Perfect gifts for yourself or a loved one this Christmas.

"Our Café will also be open, offering hot chocolate and mince pies, hot and cold food, and a selection of delicious cakes."

Laura, one of the people supported by Autism Together, and Garden Centre manager Emma Crabb making wreaths for sale at the Christmas event

In other news, Autism Together's Virtual Santa's Grotto is returning this Christmas due to its popularity over recent pandemic-hit years, allowing families from around the country and across the world to request a personalised video message from Santa and his elves.

Chloe Jones from the charity's Fundraising Team explained:

"Santa and his elves have agreed to make personalised videos messages for our followers and supporters again this Christmas.

"All our videos can be made completely personal to the individual, and emailed to anyone and any place in the world to be downloaded and treasured forever.

"It's also important to say we offer a fully autism-friendly experience, so you can choose to have the background Christmas lights turned off and we can use Makaton signing or visual structures to aid communication too.

"When you book your video you can include all the details that you would like us to mention to truly personalise each video, and our Virtual Grotto experience is available for adults and children alike to enjoy."

Details of all of Autism Together's Christmas events can be accessed via their website: www.autismtogether.co.uk/christmas/

If you would like to support the work Autism Together does, you can make a donation via the charity's website: www.autismtogether.co.uk/donate

Autism Together is hosting a 'Virtual' Santa's Grotto this year