SANTA CLAUS was able to tour the Wee County last week thanks to the last-minute plans of a local woman.

Julie Jack, who runs Hunter's Coaches with her father John Hunter, provided Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves their transportation to travel around Clacks on Thursday, December 17 to greet kids and parents on the streets.

There were also appearances from Frozen's Anna, Elsa and Olaf, thanks to Glitter Faces.

The first bus began its journey in Menstrie and travelled all over Clackmannanshire before finishing in Tullibody, while the second bus started in Muckhart and finished in Cambus, with stops in Dollar, Alloa and at Struan House.

Julie, from Alloa, told the Advertiser the turnout was incredible, adding: "I was overwhelmed by it, it was absolutely unbelievable."

She added how the idea came to her when she was driving to work, thinking of her four-year-old son and how hard this year has been for children due to Covid and the restrictions it has brought.

She said: "The kids have been troopers all the way through this [year], they've had to adapt to so many changes."

Julie has said she is already considering making this an annual event due to the amazing feedback she has received.

She added: "It was amazing. I came into work to emails and people have been sending me videos and I was actually sitting in tears.

"Not even just the kids, the adults were so excited; even the dads were waving. It was spectacular."

Donations were made by local supermarkets and businesses and Hunter's staff were also on hand to help out.

Julie also wanted to thank everyone who attended and helped to make it such a special night.

She said: "I would really like to thank the whole community and the whole of Clackmannanshire."

Not only was the night full of excitement and festivity for everyone, a huge sum of money was raised for charity as well.

Julie had received enquiries about bucket collections and decided to set up an online donations page in order to best adhere to the current Covid guidelines.

The donations page raised more than £600 which will be donated to Forth Valley Royal Hospital's children's wards.