Northampton shopping centre to install Hansel and Gretel style '˜edible' Santa's grotto

The structure, which will take the form of a traditional Christmas gingerbread house, is set to take two days to build in Weston Favell Shopping Centre over next week.

The fully gingerbread grotto will be four metres tall and will require a team of 11 expert bakers to put it together.

While the centre will not be allowing people to actually eat the grotto in situ - bosses say it will spread a pleasant festive smell during the frantic shopping period.

Centre manager Kevin Legg, said: “We wanted to focus our Grotto on tradition, moving away from a world where everything is digital, creating something that would give local children an experience that would look, smell, feel and taste just like Christmas should.

“It has taken a huge amount of planning and engineering, but the result will be amazing.”

The grotto will remain in place from November 19 and throughout the Christmas period.

Children and their families will be able to meet Santa and his elves in the festive structure - which will also be decorated with white marshmellow snow.