It may be his busiest time of the year but it didn’t stop Father Christmas from making a surprise visit to a Mother and toddlers group in Wembley today.

Santa Claus took time out from his packed schedule to hand out presents to youngsters at the group based in a volunteer library run by Friends of Barham Library (FOBL).

He said: “This is the second year running that I have visited the volunteer library run by Friends of Barham Library.

“The volunteers work so hard and everyone has such fun that I just cannot keep away.

“This is certainly one of the best local libraries I visit on my travels around the world.”

The reading room, at 428 High Road Wembley, was set up FOBL after Brent Council axed the Braham branch and its counterparts in Preston, Neasden, Kensal Rise, Cricklewood and Tokyngton to save £1million in 2001.

FOBL also run a second volunteer library which was opened in Sudbury Town Underground Station in October.

Cllr Paul Lorber, FOBL member and leader of Brent Lib Dems, said: “It was great to receive a visit from Father Christmas.

“Father Christmas supports the reopening of Barham Library so that it can bring thousands of people of all ages again.”