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Councillor Tracey Dixon with Santa Claus, Early Years Librarian Clare Craig and children from St Bede’s Nursery School.

Young book worms visiting Central Library are enjoying festive story time sessions on board a knitted sleigh on display.

The full size knitted sleigh has been created by the Customs House's knitting group, The Materialistics and was offered to Central Library to provide a festive backdrop for Christmas story sessions with local school children.

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member for Leisure and Community Safety, joined children from St Bede's Nursery School and their parents to hear stories and sing Christmas songs around the sleigh, and meet Santa himself.

She said: "The Materialistics are a passionate group of knitters and their sleigh creation is a wonderful piece of work. We are very grateful to the group for allowing us to use it in Central Library. It provides a wonderful backdrop for the storytelling sessions we have taking place over the festive season and is sure to help spread Christmas cheer among the children who visit."

South Tyneside Libraries Knit and Natter groups have been working closely with the Materialistics on their latest exhibition, 'Once Upon a Time', which is based on children's books and brings story characters to life through a range of craft materials. The exhibition is running at the Customs House until Sunday 12^th February.

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