A CHRISTMAS grotto with a difference is really taking off near Cirencester.

This festive season families are invited to visit Father Christmas on a former British Airways Boeing 747 Negus at Cotswold Airport near Kemble which has been transformed into a winter wonderland.

This unique Flight Before Christmas experience opened to the public on Monday, November 27 and will remain at the airport until December 24.

Guests firstly receive a boarding pass and customised North Pole Passport at the Elf Control Check-in. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Guests receive a boarding pass and customised North Pole Passport at the Elf Control Check-in Guests receive a boarding pass and customised North Pole Passport at the Elf Control Check-in (Image: Gel Studios Odin Events Photography)

After passing through the naughty or nice security check-in scanner, a wacky elf-and-safety briefing is hosted by head elf Peppermint and his cabin crew.

Onboard visitors will get the chance to meet Father Christmas and tell him what is on their Christmas list.

As guests disembark, they will watch a short cartoon and decorate their own gingerbread treats.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Elves doing last-minute wrapping on the planeElves doing last-minute wrapping on the plane (Image: Gel Studios Odin Events Photography)

Every guest will leave with a teddy, a book and a bag of reindeer food.

Negus has been at the airport since it was decommissioned from service in 2020.

It has now been transformed into a special events space.

General admission tickets for this experience start at £39.50 per child and £20 per adult.

Full details and tickets at tinyurl.com/45yu2p9v