Santa faces a chilly ride over Kent tonight in his open-topped Christmas sleigh, a Kent weather expert has warned.

Air conditions at 10,000ft will be icy - but shouldn't pose any major problems for the bearded gift-giver.

Globe-trotting Santa - who was spotted at a Medway service station today - is due to hit the county from midnight on his annual present delivery run.

The news that his epic journey is on will bring Christmas cheer to Kent's children after fears the big freeze would hit Santa's service.

Shaun Maltby, who runs kent-weather.co.uk, said: "Having studied the charts for the last couple of days I can't see any problems for light aircraft users.

"It's going to be cold and windy so anyone venturing out will have to wrap up warm."

Click here to track Santa's progress around the world