Welcome Break today announces the return of the ever-popular dial-a-Santa service. This year, however, the video call service to the big man will have a very special festive twist – as well as releasing the direct number for Father Christmas, one of the UK’s leading Motorway Service Area Operators, will also release the mobile number to his beloved wife, Mrs Claus.

Now in its third year, the service aims to help the third of parents who want to take their children to visit a grotto but cannot afford to do so, as UK residents continue to feel the bite due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

New research carried out by Welcome Break, found that 29 per cent of parents not taking their children to visit a grotto cite costs as rationale for not going. This is despite 64 per cent of parents saying they feel pressure to take their families to Christmas ‘experiences’ such as light shows and pantomimes. Reasons for not visiting Santa include families being unable to afford the ticket, parents being unable to afford the travel, the worry of children asking Santa for presents parents cannot afford and parents having to choose between a Santa visit and presents on Christmas Day.

Luckily for these families, they will be able to speak to Santa and, for the first time ever, Mrs Claus this December. This comes after research indicated that 64 per cent of children want to meet Mrs Claus as well as Santa this year, to get the inside scoop on the North Pole!

Half of kids (55 per cent) want to speak to Mrs Claus simply to see what she looks like, two in five kids (38 per cent) want to get the gossip on what the elves get up to at the North Pole and a quarter of little ones (23 per cent) want to ask her what she will be having for Christmas dinner!

Welcome Break has been busy working with the man himself, and his lovely wife, to provide a service for those unable to see the famous festive duo in person. Available on Saturday 16th December between 9am and 5pm, this is the perfect magical experience for you and your little ones while you relax at Welcome Break. Simply video call Father Christmas by dialling 07355589664 or video call Mrs Claus on 07355588202 and your children can share their Christmas wishes and ask Mrs Claus any questions they might have about games the elves play, her favourite Christmas goodies or what the reindeer get up to after their busy Christmas Eve.

John Diviney, CEO at Welcome Break, said: “We know the festive period can be full of fun and laughter, but we also appreciate that many children won’t get to visit Santa this year. To help these families, Mr & Mrs Claus have taken time out of their busy schedules to speak to our customers to spread some well-needed Christmas cheer! Not only that, we also have a range of festive activities in each of our locations, to entertain children on their journeys this holiday season.

This year, Welcome Break, in partnership with educational publisher Twinkl, is giving away activity sheets for children going on long car journeys to visit family and friends over the festive period. They are also encouraging little ones to write down their Christmas wishes on tags and hang them onto Christmas trees at sites. Select sites will also fun festive backdrops, perfect for s-elf-ies! All Welcome Break sites will be open 24/7 over Christmas for anyone travelling through the yuletide period.