Children and elves alike were called on by Santa to help test Christmas toys.

'Elves' took control of a Christmas Grotto in the St Ann’s Shopping Centre, in Station Road, Harrow, yesterday afternoon to test toys and presents for children who had made it onto this year’s ‘nice’ list.

Throughout the afternoon, families brought along their eager volunteers to join the elves in testing toys, after warming up with special activities before being allowed into the magical grotto.

Supervised by the elves, children were given the opportunity to use the special Christmas toolkit to make a lot of noise as they gave each present an ‘elf and safety’ check.

Brothers Harry, six-years-old, and Liam, four-years-old, thoroughly enjoyed their time playing with the toolkit.

They said they were both very excited about Christmas and added: “I like all the noises and the elves dancing - they are lots of fun. I want to be an elf when I’m older.”