The Peel Infants Christmas Treat has seen lower numbers for the past two years due to the pandemic but the organiser is hopeful for next year.

Following the reintroduction of the Police Treat this year, the Peel Infants Christmas Treat went ahead as it has done every year since 1998.

Specifically for four- and five-year-olds, the event involves a visit from Father Christmas and gifts for every child that attends.

Roy Baker, organiser of the event, said the Covid-19 pandemic has meant he has seen diminished numbers, the lowest since he began hosting the event once a year.

He said: ’Sadly for the last couple of years there hasn’t been as many as previously but you can’t blame them.

’We usually have about 80 to 90 kids coming to this but this year we’ve only had about 30-odd.’

’The situation we’re in at the moment with Covid has made things difficult, once that’s over and done with it’ll be back up again.’

Despite the number of Covid cases in the island, Mr Baker was not concerned about hosting the event and so it went ahead on December 12.

Mr Baker runs the event himself, with the help of his brother, who fundraises money through quizzes and other activities.

He said: ’He raises funds for his own little charity which is called Peel Good Causes and the money goes to a cause in Peel, it could be for the youth club or the football club, but it always stays in Peel.

’I then send slips of paper with the date and the time and what’s going on to the school and parents can put their name on it and what class they’re in and I get those so I know how many gifts to get.

’It’s a one person committee but on the day my brother and a couple of others will come down and wrap the books we give as gifts.

’It’s the easiest thing to do and kids all like books.

’I run the games and we have a disco, and then Father Christmas comes in too.

’He hands out all of the presents.’

Mr Baker explained why it is aimed at infants, saying: ’The bigger infants go to parties but the tiny ones, reception and year one, don’t, so it’s always for them.

’They need something I think.’

When asked what the reception was like from parents to the yearly event, he added: ’I get lots of praise from parents. It’s a good reception.’