Human Christmas crackers, cheeky elves, a mother donkey with her baby and a Shetland pony.

They were all to be found mingling with shoppers in Slough over the weekend.

The two days of festive fun were run by Slough Borough Council, which pushed the boat out to make Christmas shopping in the town an experience no-one would ever forget.

The cheeky elves were two chaps on mobile chairs who raced around all over the place, telling jokes and playing music. They were even happy to race one little girl on her bike.

The human 'crackers' had also been hired specially for the occasion.

The visiting animals came from the Maidenhead based Basil and Crew Mobile Farm.

The crew has been visiting homes, schools, fairs, family fun days and nursing homes since 2000, introducing children and adults to their animals and teaching them how to interact with them.

They brought a Shetland pony, chickens, goats, sheep and guinea pigs to the Slough event - as well as a donkey with a new baby for the children to meet.

There were Chinese marquees with stalls selling ornaments, badges and a variety of Christmas trinkets plus train rides through the centre of town.

Lynsey Hellewell from Slough Borough Council said: "The weather was rather awful, particularly on Sunday. But it did not seem to bother people."

The annual festive fun days are now becoming an annual event in the town.