The white whiskered gentleman timed his appearance to coincide with the last Food & Craft market of the year on the Cramlington site.

After posing for selfies with his adoring public, he headed off to speak to the Lady of the North to find out if she's been naughty or nice this year, but neither she nor he were giving anything away as he boarded his sleigh.

Dasher, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Prancer, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph would like to say a special thank you to the staff at Northumberland Wildlife Trust's visitor centre and café for keeping them fuelled with mince pies ready for their journey back to Lapland.

Who knows. Maybe next year a ninth deer called Northumberlan-deer will join the crew.