Friends of the North Pole will be making the trip to the Arcade on December 12th from 10am till 4pm.

The reindeers will be bringing the magic of Christmas to the centre with the chance for young shoppers to meet and feed them throughout the day.

The reindeers are owned by Richardson Garden Centre of County Durham who started rearing them several years ago. The reindeer can be found by the Arcade’s festive display in the piazza area.

On the same date the ‘Garden of Remembrance’ will be officially opened next to The Tree of Light by the Duchess of Northumberland.

Morpeth First School will be performing Christmas carols at 3pm with the garden being officially opened at 3:30pm by the Duchess of Northumberland who will unveil a plaque at the garden and place the first light.

Messages for loved ones can be left on the Tree of Light and children can also place a light in the garden of remembrance which will be lit for 72 hours.

The proceeds from the project will go to the Great North Air Ambulance Service, Cancer Research North East and Barnabas Safe and Sound – the Arcade’s chosen charity for the year.

Centre Manager Medi Parry said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming the reindeers back to The Arcade; they’re always so popular with the children in the run up to Christmas.

“It is also an extremely special day for us here and we cannot wait to welcome the Duchess of Northumberland to the Arcade to open the Garden of Remembrance.”

Sanderson Arcade will also have free mince pies and mulled wine with live music every Sunday throughout December.

Other entertainment in December includes the ever popular Tom Wylie, New Dickensians and the Vieux Carre Jazzmen.