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Communities across Caerphilly County Borough have come together to spread festive joy in the run-up to Christmas.

2020 has been a difficult year for many, with parts of the borough hit by flooding early in the year before the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

To raise the mood, Father Christmas has been touring the borough on his sleigh this month.

Volunteers in Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen, Graig y Rhacca and Waterloo have been going around their communities with the sleigh, as part of Operation Santa BTM 2020 – which was set up by Bedwas residents in September.

Thanks to donations from residents and local businesses alike, the volunteers were able to wrap 4,000 ‘goody bags’ to give out to children in the area.

A similar scheme took place in Abertridwr and Senghenydd, inspired by the efforts of volunteers in Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen.

A group of mothers came together to raise money to give children in the Aber Valley a Christmas gift.

More than 1,300 gifts were hand delivered across the valley.

Elsewhere in Abertridwr, residents on Coedcae Road have marked Christmas by decorating their street with lights.

The light display was organised by residents, who have also arranged for every child in the street to receive a Christmas gift from Father Christmas, who will be delivering them on Christmas Eve.

All the gifts were bought by a resident living on the street.

Meanwhile, Father Christmas is also visiting nearby Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn.

The visits, which have been organised by Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Community Council, started on Monday, December 14 and will continue each evening until Friday, December 18.

Hendredenny residents have also organised Father Christmas’ socially distanced visit to their estate from 4pm to 8pm on Monday, December 21.

Father Christmas has also been spotted in Castle View, with his visit to the estate organised by Caerphilly Town Council.

Meanwhile, Castle View Community Group has organised a Christmas tree competition, with more than 50 entries so far.

The deadline to enter the competition is Friday, December 18. To enter, send a photo of your decorated tree to team-cvcg@gmail.com

On the other side of Caerphilly town, Van Community Council is running a Christmas lights competition for residents in Lansbury Park, Porset Park and Mornington Meadows.

In Churchill Park, residents came together to donate gifts for the children at Puddle Ducks nursery.

At Caerphilly Miners’ Centre, Santa’s grotto was set up earlier this month, with more than 300 children paying a socially distanced visit. A raffle was also held at the centre, with £474 raised towards care packages for vulnerable residents in Caerphilly.

Further afield, Father Christmas will be visiting Nelson, leaving chocolate selection boxes at children’s doorsteps. The sleigh will be touring the village from Thursday, December 17 to Saturday, December 19.

Earlier in the month, Father Christmas toured Ystrad Mynach on his sleigh, with the event streamed online.

Father Christmas’ visit to Llanbradach took place over the weekend, with five residents getting together to organise the tour.

Money raised from the tour has gone towards solar lights for the Christmas tree given to residents living in Llamau’s accommodation on Oak Terrace, Llanbradach.

The tree was donated by greengrocer Veg of Evans, on Bedwlwyn Road, Ystrad Mynach.