SANTA Claus came rocking into town — with help from The Rock and the Bury Times!

Record-breaking crowds flocked to the shopping centre on a cold but sunny Saturday morning to welcome St Nick, and the winner of the Rock It With Santa competition.

Led by the Royal Regiment of Lancashire Fusiliers band, Santa made his big entrance on the back of a virtual rocket around the shopping centre, designed by Max Monaghan, aged five.

Max and his mum, Aleesha, were VIP guests in the parade as they rode in a sleigh behind Santa and his rocket, followed by students from the Carol Godby theatre workshop, a stilt-walking fairy, a gingerbread man and members of the public.

Both Max and the competition runner-up, Roxanne Sykes, aged six, were the first to visit Santa’s grotto and received a toy bundle from The Entertainer, as well as a photo and story book each.

The new grotto opened to the public at 11.30am and two elves along with the stilt walking fairy entertained shoppers and gave out free candy canes as customers waited patiently to meet Santa.

The parade along, with Black Friday bargains from many stores, brought a record number of shoppers to the centre with more than 66,000 visitors — the highest footfall on one day that the shopping centre have seen in the past five years.

A snow machine brought a sprinkle of Christmas magic to the day along with giant gingerbread men, presents and candy canes in the pop-up elf workshop where families enjoyed a range of free activities.

Children took part in gingerbread men decorating with Bury College, face painting and crafts, all in aid of the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity, with donations on the day totalling £353.65.

Linzi Atkinson, marketing and tenant liaison manager at The Rock, said, “Our parade was really well received by our shoppers and truly brought some Christmas magic to the centre.

"This year we wanted to do something a little different and what better way than to bring Santa in on a rocket?

"Our free activities were a huge hit, with hundreds of families taking part and raising money for our partner charity.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to all who took part in the parade and helped to create such a great atmosphere on the day.”

Bury Times editor Mike Crutchley said: "It is great that there was such an incredible turnout and I am pleased Max and Roxanne had a great time."

Tomorrow will see the return of The Rock Express land train which will be giving free rides between Peel Monument and St John’s Square in The Rock every day until December 31.

Santa’s grotto at The Rock is now open Thursday to Sunday each week and is free to enter.

Visit therockbury.com/christmas for details.