Tails will be wagging when Santa’s Christmas Grotto for Dogs opens in Mansfield Market Place on Saturday, 12 December.

From noon until 3pm, dog lovers can bring their pets to the Market Place to pose for photos with Santa Paws in his grotto.

Entry is £2 and includes a special Christmas gift for each dog. All proceeds will go to the Jerry Green Dog Rescue charity, which cares for and rehomes abandoned dogs.

Mansfield District Council staff will also be on hand with information on the ‘Your dog, your responsibility’ campaign, offering advice on dog fouling, micro-chipping and dog control.

Town Centre and Street Cleansing Manager at Mansfield District Council, Julie Snowdon, said: “Well-behaved pets need rewarding, so why not bring your dog down to the market place to meet Santa Paws and enjoy a well-earned treat. This is going to be the canine photo opportunity of the season, as well as a chance to give to a good cause.”

​Santa’s dog grotto is just one of the many events taking place at Mansfield Market in the run-up to Christmas. There will be a series of three special Sunday markets (6, 13 and 20 December) and one late-night market on Thursday 17 December, which will include regular traders and craft traders, as well as free street entertainment to provide some extra cheer for shoppers.

The council has thanked Woodhouse Sheds and Garages for donating Santa’s dog grotto.