Father Christmas has re-scheduled his arrival to the Belgian capital, due to heightened security.

The traditional bearer of festive gifts was due to arrive in the city by steamboat on Monday morning.

However, excited children will have to wait until Friday for Santa to give out sweet treats and hot chocolate.

Visit Brussels reported: “All schools in the Brussels area had been invited to take part, but the event was cancelled last week as the terror threat level was still at four – the highest – following the Paris attacks on 13 November.

“The threat level, which curtailed a range of activities in the Belgian capital including school outings, has since been downgraded to three.”

On Friday, Belgian schoolchildren will celebrate the arrival of their version of Father Chritmas – St Nicholas – with a feast, entertainment, music and hot drinks.

express.co.uk