SCHOOLCHILDREN from an Ulverston school have helped a luxury Lake District hotel launch its ‘Build up to Christmas’ extravaganza after winning the chance to decorate its eight-foot Christmas tree.

Ten pupils from Croftlands Infant School in Oakwood Drive, Ulverston, visited Lakeside Hotel and Spa on Windermere to decorate its epic tree and meet Father Christmas himself.

The group of five boys and five girls, who were all five to seven years old, were also treated to a lunch specially prepared at the hotel after entering a drawing competition to design a Christmas tree.

Sian Taylor, headteacher of the school, said: "Visiting Lakeside is a great confidence boost for the children, many of whom will have never been inside a hotel like this before.

"It's so important for us to get out and about with the children to forge these important community links.
"We're grateful to Lakeside for this special pre-Christmas treat which really put a smile on everyone's faces."

Jennifer Armstrong from Lakeside Hotel and Spa, said: "It's the fifth year we've invited local schoolchildren to the hotel in what is fast becoming an annual Christmas tradition.

"Everyone at Lakeside is proud to be part of a strong local community and so it seems fitting that a group of local schoolchildren should decorate our tree and mark the start of our official 'Build up to Christmas.'"

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