(A new) Santa Claus is coming to town

BUT COUNCIL CHIEFS KEEPING IT 'ZIPPED' ON MASCOT'S IDENTITY

- By ETHAN DAVIES

MANCHESTER will get a new giant Santa for this year's Christmas celebrations - and it's from a familiar 'family'.

The city will host its biggest-ever festivities this Christmas, as Albert Square returns to the celebrations for the first time since 2019.

Closed for the long-running town hall refurbishment, it is making a spectacular return to the Christmas party with a market and Ferris wheel.

It's not the only new addition to 2025's festive season, council Christmas spokesperson Pat Karney revealed yesterday.

"I can reveal Manchester is going to have a new Santa this year," he said. "We have a new Santa, he is from the Zippy family. I will say no more."