PORLOCK laid claim to being the Christmas capital of Exmoor when the annual Santa Festival opened last week with a display of 20 Santa images of all shapes and sizes taking over the High Street.

The overall winner, and recipient of the Porlock Newsletter Best Santa Cup, was ‘Santa School Sports Day’ by Myrtle Cottage B&B.

Second place went to ‘Sat Nav Malfunction’ by The Cottage B&B, and third was ‘Carnival Santa’ by The Bagatelle.

It was the start of Santa’s busy two weeks with a late-night Santa dash and greeting children in a grotto at the Old School Centre.

The festival continues to the end of December.

A free Santa Trail leaflet is available throughout the village.