SANTA will be flying over a number of West Somerset Schools on Friday (December 19) in a big yellow sleigh.

He is taking to the skies in a Westland Sea King helicopter owned by Chard-based Historic Helicopters, a charity which preserves and operates vintage military helicopters.

It is the sixth year the charity has held its helicopter Santa run.

The flight, which has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, will leave Chard at 9.30 am and fly via Tiverton to the North Devon coast before travelling along the West Somerset coastline and then traversing the length of the Quantock Hills and detouring to Glastonbury before returning to base at 12.26 pm.

Santa is scheduled to be over Porlock at 11.18 am, Minehead at 11.23 am, Washford at 11.25 am, and Crowcombe at 11.31 am.

A spokesperson said: “Please give us a massive wave if you see us.”