Where's Santa? 4,000 kms from Ireland, that's where - and moving fast

Santa's journey around the world is well underway.

Update 6pm: Santa has delivered nearly 3.5bn presents to children across the world so far.

According to the Google Santa tracker, Santa is currently over the Russian city of Samara, around 4,000 kms from Ireland - and moving fast.

For a hi-tech solution, you can also track Santa on the Santa-tracker Twitter account of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command).

They use heat signatures from Rudolph's nose to track Santa's progress around the globe.

This year his sleigh is packed with a record 60 tonnes of toys including lego, bicycles, scooters and dolls as well as an extra tonne of Star Wars merchandise.

The Irish Air Corps is on stand-by to make sure his journey over Ireland goes off without a hitch.

Children are being advised to go to bed early tonight the weather conditions are looking good for Santa's arrival.