Parents have hit out at the price of tickets to take their children to see Santa at the farm.

Billed as the 'best Christmas experience in the North West', the Farmer Christmas event takes place at Reddish Vale Farm in Stockport and features a Father Christmas Workshop, Elf Village, Mrs Claus's Kitchen and lots more.

Visitors' journey to 'North Pole Santa HQ' starts at 'passport control' and there are lots of activities to do along the way, including building your own Christmas gift to take home, posting a letter to the big man, decorating gingerbread and meeting the reindeer in Santa's Stable.

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But, after seeing the price of tickets this year - costing £45 for children (a £9.50 increase on last year) and £16.50 for adults for the two-hour experience - parents have slammed the fees as 'ridiculous'.

Commenting on the farm's Facebook page, where the event is being shared, Tricia Rolland said: "Why do parents n carers have to pay it's the children's fun not theirs, parents are there to supervise and enjoy their child's happiness."

Another parent, Lucy Richards, said: "The price! What a joke!!! Kids missing out all over the place, such a shame."

And sharing a photo of her online shopping basket to show the £135.50 it would cost for two adults, two children and a baby, Chloe Shannon added: "How are people even affording this?"

However, bosses at the farm, have stressed that it's a 'full Christmas experience, not just a grotto' and the fact it sells out each year speaks for itself.

Manager Jordan Beckwith said this year's event is 'bigger than ever' and already 90% sold out.

"The price has risen due to the cost of everything shooting up," he said. "We've also reduced the numbers in each session to enhance the experience and have added extras. It's in a much bigger space, we've got more special effects to make it a better experience and all the products are premium products.

"We could have gone for cheaper products - like the toys, teddies and sweets - but we want it to be the best and the proof is in the pudding, people come to us year after year."

Jordan says the event costs 'hundreds of thousands' to run, with extra staff, professional actors and teams of builders and electricians needed to get it up and running.

"People do say to me, 'it's how much to see Santa?', but they don't realise what they're actually getting. This isn't a Santa's grotto, it's a full North Pole experience and we do our best to make it as realistic as we can.

"I know it seems quite expensive and it doesn't suit everyone's budget, but people do love it and we're happy that it's grown into something as big as it is."

Families who have attended in previous years are also full of praise for the farm's festive experience.

In a Google review of the 2022 event, Amy Glascoe said: "When I booked I was sceptical about the price. It was worth every penny my boys said it was the best day of their lives. What a magical day."

And Jessica Winter said: "My 3 year old and I came to the Christmas experience at Reddish Vale Farm. She had such a wonderful time! All I can say is thank you so so very much! You were all amazing, the experience is just fantastic all the elves, Mrs Claus and Santa were just fantastic! The whole thing was Fabulous! You’ve all worked so hard and it shows!! Please keep doing what you’re doing we will 10/10 be back next year!! Thank you again!!"

Responding to the comments on Facebook, farm bosses listed exactly what the experience involves:

• Check in at passport control
• Make your way down the winter woodland Forrest
• Arrive at passport control with letter writing
• Once the time travel capsule is ready the sirens will go off and lights will shine
• The elves will guide you through arriving in the magnificent elf vylle, it may even just snow
• Visit holly holly in her gum drop sweet shop
• The elves will guide you to the North Pole sorting office, they have been having issues with the sorting machine - can you help ?
• Next you will need to put your skills to the test and build your very own Christmas teddy to take home
• Mrs Claus is next she needs as many helper elves as she can to help save the Christmas gingerbread disaster winter warmers for all adults as well
• The reindeers are next on the adventure - listen to the reindeer flying show while having pictures on Santa's sleigh. Sleigh Driving licences will be available for purchase with printed pictures on exit!
• Finally Santa himself with special entrance
• Each child will get to speak to Santa and receive a present we will have professional pictures available to purchase but parents are more than welcome to take your own!
• On exit hot food and drinks will be available to purchase on site