The elves took a break from preparing for National Elf Day in Hull to visit Victoria Dock Primary School, where children and staff were preparing for their Christmas show later this week.

The elves spent an hour at the school helping the children with their Christmas preparations and handing out balloons and stickers for National Elf Day, which takes place on Saturday 11 December.

The elves will be in the city centre from 10am on Saturday and will be hard at work until 4pm, helping shoppers and guiding them round the Hull FC Elf Trail.

There will be live music from brass bands, a pipe band and carol-singers and performances from the stilt-walker, balloon-modeller and jugglers plus face-painting.

City centre traders will be supported by a Christmas market in King Edward Street, where local businesses will sell their own produce.

"The elves proved a big success with families last year so we decided to bring them back," said Kathryn Shillito, City Centre Manager for Hull BID, which organised National Elf Day.

"But we know children just can't wait for Christmas so when the opportunity arose we were delighted to send the elves to Victoria Dock Primary School to help the children and staff there prepare for their own celebrations."