Santa has swapped his sleigh for a National Express West Midlands bus from Walsall to Lichfield.

Ahead of this weekend’s Christmas Food and Drink Festival in Lichfield City Centre (Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th December) Santa ho-ho-hopped on the 10A service from Walsall bus station and travelled into the historic city of Lichfield to check out what else is on offer over the festive period.

From the city’s historic streets lined with tempting shops for Christmas gifts, to the Christmas Tree Festival at Lichfield Cathedral, to the Illuminated Arboretum between 12th and 21st December, Lichfield has plenty of attractions to enjoy.

Earlier this year, National Express West Midlands extended its 10A bus route to serve Lichfield, providing a reliable frequent bus service to and from Walsall, seven days a week.

David Bradford, Managing Director for National Express West Midlands, said:

“Our 10A extension to Lichfield has proven to be popular since it was launched this summer. With services running up to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and up to every 60 minutes on Sundays it’s the ideal, hassle-free way to get into Lichfield this festive season.

“Customers can hop on without worrying about parking or queues and enjoy Christmas shopping in the historic city of Lichfield, or visit one of the many festive events being held over the coming weeks. And as we have contactless on every one of our buses, people can just tap their card on the reader and it’ll work out the bus fare for them. However many more trips they make that day, they will never be charged more than an adult daysaver ticket. It really is that easy - and it’s always the same price as the adult cash fares.”

Walsall Councillor Richard Worrall, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Santa Claus, said:

“I was delighted when National Express West Midlands introduced a direct Walsall to Lichfield link via Rushall, Shelfield and Brownhills in July, and I’ve used the service several times to get to and from the Chasewater Light Railway and Lichfield.

“But transport is about two-way travel and my idea is that people in the Walsall area who might like a change from the Frankfurt Christmas Market might try out the festive delights of Lichfield by bus. And for Staffordshire and Lichfield folk, Walsall, apart from its own Christmas shopping, is a year-round destination for the world-class New Art Gallery, the Arboretum, the Walsall Leather Museum and the Aldridge Museum of Road Transport.”

Councillor Ian Pritchard, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Environment & Development Services, said:

“Lichfield is such a lovely place to visit particularly in the lead up to Christmas, with its historic streets, traditional decorations, and plenty of independent shops. We’re so lucky to have a wealth of lovely coffee shops and restaurants as well as free historical buildings to explore. This includes Lichfield Cathedral which has a stunning display of more than 20,000 of paper peace doves and a Christmas Tree festival.

“Lichfield is known as the festival city, and the lead up to Christmas is no different, with the Lichfield Food and Drink Festival on 8 and 9 December, Lichfield Winter Wonderland and ice rink at Beacon Park from 14 December to 4 January and the Cathedral Illuminated from 17 to 22 December. We hope plenty of people will discover all that Lichfield has to offer this yuletide and look forward to giving visitors a warm welcome.”

National Express West Midlands extended its 10A bus route to serve Lichfield from Walsall, Rushall, Brownhills, Chasetown and Burntwood, seven days a week. Crucially, it means that the bus operator is providing a much needed Sunday service to Lichfield following the complete withdrawal of bus services in April this year.

National Express West Midlands regional passes are valid to and from Lichfield. The maximum adult single fare is £2.40 or an adult daysaver is £4.60 (if bought before 9:30 Monday-Friday) or £4.00 (if bought after 9:30 or anytime at weekends).

Holders of Your Staffordshire Cards (U16 and U20) can also travel to or from Staffordshire for a flat fare of £1.30.

For details of what’s on in Lichfield over the Christmas period visit www.visitlichfield.co.uk/christmas. Full details of National Express West Midlands services including timetable information are available at www.nxbus.co.uk