Father Christmas is taking time off from sorting out the presents, to visit children across the north of the borough.

Helped by Erith Rotary Club, he will be touring the streets in his sleigh, playing Christmas music and asking people to give money to help seven local good causes.

The groups to benefit are Smerdon Resource Centre, Shenstone School, Woodside School, Reinstate Benevolent Fund, Bexley Women's Aid, Oakwood School and Bexley School for Parents.

This is what Father Christmas's diary looks like for the coming days:

l Friday Lesney Park Road, Park Crescent, Christchurch Avenue, Bexley Road, Hengist Road, Penda Road, Carlton Road and adjacent roads.

l Saturday Nuxley Road, from 10am until noon.

l December 10 Bedonwell School, Woolwich Road, Nuxley Road, Barnefield Road, Osborne Road, Upper Grove Road, Dryhill Road, Bedonwell Road, and other adjacent roads.

l December 11 Byron Grove, Belmont Road, Langdale Crescent, Rydal Drive, Dalmeny Road, Cookson Road, Lawrence Road, Brook Street, Bexley Road, Avenue Road, Ramsden Road, Colyers Lane and adjacent roads.

l December 12 Streamway, Parsonage Manorway, Ightham Road, Swanton Road, Bedonwell Road, Little Heath Road, Dunwich Road, Hollingbourne Avenue, Hurlingham Road and adjacent roads.

l December 13 Picardy Street, Elstree Gardens, Heron Hill, Napier Road, Nelson Road, Clive Road, Lessness Park, Upper Abbey Road, Paroma Road and other adjacent roads.

l December 14, 15 and 16 Morrison's superstore, Erith High Street from 10am to 4pm each day.

l December 17 Poplar Mount, Battle Road, Pembroke Road, Riverdale Road, Brook Street, Eardley Road, Upper Park Road, Robin Road, Brigstock Road, Gladewood Road and other adjacent roads.

l December 18 Bedonwell School, Glenview, Heath Road, Amberley Road, Abbotts Walk, Powis Close, Heath Avenue, Marley Road, Brampton Road, Long Lane, Oakhurst Road, Cumberland Drive, Barry Avenue, Westbourne Road, King Harolds Way and adjacent roads.

December 4, 2001 12:30