FATHER Christmas has launched a search to find a young elf to help him in Bolton.

He is staging the Champion Elf of Bolton competition at Crompton Place - and budding elves, aged 11 and younger, are invited to take part.

Santa Claus will head up the judging panel at the shopping centre on Saturday, December 6.

Speaking from his home in Lapland, Mr Claus said: “This is an incredibly busy time of year for me and I need the very best elves to help me.

“I have been told Bolton has some fantastic children and I am sure we will find a youngster who fully deserves the title of Champion Elf of Bolton.”

Also on the judging panel will be the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, Cllr Martin Donaghy and Mrs Gay Wharton, with Crompton Place manager, Paula Wood, a mum-of-one.

She said: “Hosting such a terrific, Bolton-wide Christmas competition is very exciting for us and I am very pleased to also have the support of the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton with it.

“We have always been very proud to be a family -orientated shopping centre, at the heart of the community, and the championship is set to be a great feel-good, fun and festive family event. It is time to start preparing your elf costumes.”

Cllr Donaghy said: “I’m pleased to be on the judging panel to find the Champion Elf of Bolton at Crompton Place. I’m hoping lots of local children will take part in this really fun event in the run up to Christmas.

“It will be great to see people coming together in the heart of the town for this wonderful festive fun and I wish the entrants the best of luck.

“And while the children are in town why not take them down to our Winter Wonderland? With a snow slide, an ice rink and Santa’s grotto, there’s something for all the family.”

Young entrants can either come dressed in their elf costumes or be transformed at the "elf yourself" station, where a team of expert face painters will be on hand, from 11 am to 4pm.

Judging will start at 3pm on the day of the event, close to Primark in Crompton Place.

The champion elf will win £100 of shopping centre vouchers from Crompton Place. All entrants will receive a little something for their efforts.