FATHER Christmas blazed through Hatch End on Sunday as the Uxbridge Road was lit up with Christmas lights.

The Mayor of Harrow, Mrinal Choudhury, turned on the lights with Conservative Hatch End ward councillor Jean Lammiman, and Santa Claus put in an appearance on an unconventional method of transport.

Lee Smith, who put on the red suit, and his wife Suzanne Hearnden, arrived on a Harley Davidson from Harefield and surprised the 1200 strong crowd.

Mike Allenby, co-chairman of the Hatch End Traders' Association which organises the event, said: "It was a great evening. This is the third year we have been doing it and the Christmas tree seems to get bigger each year."

Businesses along Uxbridge Road, where people gathered to see the solar powered lights, carol singers and a choir, donated money for the cost of the tree in return for advertisement on the base.

The event was organised by the traders' association with help from the Hatch End Association and funds from the Hatch End Community Association.

Mr Smith and Mrs Hearnden's two daughters Charlotte and Rebecca dressed as Christmas trees and Mrs Hearnden's colleague at the funeral directors, Sharon Day, took on the role of the elf for the evening.