The elves were dancing and Santa and Mrs Claus toasted their luck in sherry after Somerset planners granted them planning permission for their spectacular Grotto over at Critchill - all at the last festive minute.

The Claus Cause made national news on December 5, the day planners had initially said they would recommend that planning for the Grotto was refused for a second time. Officers had said traffic to the winter wonderland cabin was a problem and that it was not truly sustainable.

The Grotto gang insisted that was not the case saying : " We've been navigating a planning application process since the start of the year, aiming to do things by the book. Unfortunately, the council denied it on sustainability grounds, citing a lack of public transport and a lone local complaint.

"We take our commitment to sustainability seriously. Our dedication to offering quality keepsake gifts over plastic toys is a testament to this. Plastic consumption weighs heavily on our environment, and we're passionate about minimising that impact. "

On Tuesday, just hours after lots of news exposure, including a piece on the national BBC lunchtime news, which regularly has a viewing figure in the millions, the Frome group heard that the planners had done a U turn and their Christmas cabin was safe.

Great news said fans, who say the Grotto is far from grotty and is one of the most special destinations for local children and can now be assured of coming back next year too.

One said: "Fantastic news, you guys do such an amazing job and make a lot of children happy. Best Grotto ever."

Gordon Perry, who runs the grotto with his wife and brother-in-law, had operated Santa's workshop at a local farm shop for three years before switching to the new site at Critchill Manor estate this year after taking out a £22,000 loan.

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