A PETER Rabbit themed Christmas grotto is hopping its way to the Trafford Centre.

Beatrix Potter’s beloved character will be centre stage in an immersive grotto experience for families outside the Great Hall, next to the big wheel, from November 14 to Christmas Eve.

Youngsters will be invited into Peter Rabbit’s cosy burrow by a woodland elf before he leads them on a magical adventure through his winter woodland.

En-route to seek out Father Christmas, children will search Squirrel Nutkin’s trail of acorns to find his secret Christmas dinner stash and decorate cookies with Jemima Puddle-Duck. They will get to meet Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and then be dared to enter Mr Tod’s lair to sit around the cooking pot, but will they be brave enough to stir it?

Visitors will then end their magical Peter Rabbit Christmas Grotto experience with a meeting with Santa where they will receive a gift and the opportunity to pose for a photograph with him to have a keepsake of their adventure.

Autism friendly grotto sessions will also be available on December 3 and 10 as well as signed sessions for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Alison Niven, regional centre director at Trafford Centre, said: “Beatrix Potter is one of the world’s most beloved authors and Peter Rabbit is a character that brings a smile to the face of both children and adults alike. This year’s grotto is set to delight the senses while really immersing visitors in the magical woodland world of Peter Rabbit and friends.”

Thomas Merrington, creative director of Penguin Ventures, which has teamed up with the Trafford Centre, added: “We are continually exploring new ways to bring Beatrix Potter’s characters to life and to offer families the chance to enjoy experiences together. The Trafford Centre team have perfectly achieved this with the Peter Rabbit Christmas grotto and we cannot wait for fans old and new to journey through this brilliant new Christmas experience."

Meanwhile Paw Patrol, Lego Batman, Teletubbies and In the Night Garden characters will be among the line-up at two festive parades at the Trafford Centre.

The parade will be at the Orient at 11.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday, November 17, where donations will also collected for the centre's charity partner, the NSPCC.

For tickets to Peter Rabbit's grotto visit tickets.eskimojoevents.co.uk/trafford_2018/

For more information about autism friendly or signed sessions email tickets@eskimojoevents.co.uk