ACCOMPLISHED riders saddled up to spread some festive cheers in and around Smithills.

McGuinness’s Higher Tongs Farm, Smithills, continued their traditional seasonal ride out to the delight of passers-by.

They dressed up as Christmas characters, everything from Father Christmas and a snowman to gingerbread men.

Some even came as characters from the Nativity to remind people about the meaning of Christmas.

Riders take part in a themed trek every Halloween and Christmas — and so well received are they the farm is looking to stage an Easter ride-out.

Jeanette McGuinness, from the farm, said: “The Christmas ride-out has been taking place for four years or so and people just love it, especially the children.

“Adults stand and take pictures and the riders enjoy it too.”

The trek starts from the farm before making its way through Barrow Bridge and on to paths on Moss Bank Park.

Every year the custom made costumes become elaborate, with Jeanette and Jane Brookes, a talented sewer, creating the fancy dress pieces.

“My daughter Beth, 16, dressed as a snowman and I sewed on 80 snowballs, and all the riders love dressing up,” said Jeanette, “Now they are talking about an Easter trek.”

Both the Christmas and Halloween ride-outs are hugely popular and in October the farm put on a theatrical display with their very own headless horseman, a clown and a skeleton riding around on a horse.

And now the community cannot wait to find out what Easter will bring as the riders saddle up to spread the Good News.

Higher Tongs Farm is a livery yard in Smithills.

People across Bolton have been spreading some festive cheer all week.

Young elves could be seen dashing up Rivington Pike bringing a smile to faces of walkers.

Sharples Primary School children donned their elf uniform to celebrate the festive season and raise money for a good cause.

Years Five and Six took part in a special hike to the pike elf dash and raised £1,909.27 for Bolton Hospice.

Headteacher Gemma Partington said: “We are very proud of the school community supporting such a wonderful charity.”