Father Christmas was spotted spreading festive cheer at the UK's largest overseas base

RAF

Operation Santa: Christmas cheer at 'far away from home' RAF Akrotiri

Hundreds of presents have been handed out to children at Britain's busiest overseas airbase to celebrate Christmas.

The annual Operation Santa event included volunteers dressed as elves giving out more than 1,200 selection boxes at RAF Akrotiri.

Santa himself rode his sleigh through the streets on the back of a converted HGV with a Christmassy escort provided by the Sovereign Base Area Police.

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Festivity-filled

As well as visiting the children of serving personnel living on base, Op Santa stopped at Akrotiri village outside the wire.

Speaking to BFBS Forces News, Lance Corporal Stuart said: "It's all about the festive time, especially for the kids around RAF Akrotiri.

Volunteers dressed as elves gave out more than 1200 selection boxes to children — Santa's elves, a team of volunteers, gave out more than 1,200 selection boxes to children

"With us being so far away from home, we try and make it as Christmassy as possible."

The team spent weeks planning the annual event, calling out for volunteers on BFBS Cyprus radio to help wrap the presents and dress as elves.

Parents and staff spent a whole day wrapping the gifts, plus walked 15km giving them out.

Children cheered as Santa drove past, trailing a flurry of 'snow'

A DJ riding with Santa played Christmas songs as children cheered for the volunteers who were giving out sweets.

"Words can't explain how much of an excitement it is when you're going round singing Christmas songs," said LCpl Stuart, adding that the experience was "phenomenal".