Santa Clause visits Harrods

Santa Claus came to town today – less than 48 hours after the hottest day of the year in Britain.

The famous figure helped launch the Christmas World section of Harrods’ flagship London store.

He travelled to Knightsbridge in a 1950s-style ice-cream van and serve refreshments to customers.

The 10,000 square foot Christmas World section of Harrods contains festive decorations and gifts.

Its launch today marks “the 139 Harrods shopping days left until Christmas”, the chain said.

The launch follows the sizzling 30.3C temperature recorded in the capital on Sunday – the hottest day of the UK so far this year.

Harrods usually launches its Christmas section during the summer in response to demand from visiting tourists.