A host of celebrities treated their families to some early festive fun – including a visit to Santa Claus in his grotto – on the opening day of Legoland Windsor’s Christmas ‘Bricktacular’ celebration.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who was joined by her rock star husband Richard Jones and all four of their young boys – Sonny, Kit, Ray and Jesse – stopped for a hug with the giant Lego Santa character before heading off to hit the rides at the annual seasonal event at the resort.

Sophie attended the exciting day in Legoland

Also sharing the magic of the day was singer Rachel Stevens and her girls Amelie and Minnie, TV presenter Konnie Huq and her boys Covey and Huxley, and Mr Selfridge star Katherine Kelly, who brought along her daughter Orla. Meanwhile, ’s Laura Tobin – the weather presenter who is often compared looks-wise to the Duchess of Cambridge – invited friends to join her at the opening day event.

There was plenty to explore at the Legoland resort, which had been bathed for the occasion in thousands of twinkling fairy lights, including Christmas-themed activities, 20 specially opened rides, and a trail past the famous Miniland Lego attraction, which had been taken over by a festive theme.

Konnie was ready for Christmas in a knitted jumper 

But the highlight for the children came when the celebrities and their families were led, one by one, through a magical forest of Christmas trees, and into a hut where Father Christmas was waiting to talk to them, and to present them with a special gift.

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