Staff at Granada Studios in Manchester invited the public to dress up as Father Christmas to help them get into the Guinness Book of records.

They expected more than 500 to attend in return for a free tour of Granada studios. But they were greeted by just two small children.

Alycia Darling, two, and her brother Ethan, three, were the only people in the north-west to rise to the challenge.

Granada spokesman Andrew Leatham said: "Of course we are disappointed. But it is a busy time of year for Santa and he was obviously tied up with other things.

Only two little Santas hit the Street at Granada Studios

"We just wanted the public to come along dressed up and try and enjoy themselves as well as attempt to set a world record for the biggest gathering.

"There isn't officially a current record so we could still enter but it's doubtful."

Alycia and Ethan, from Wilmslow in Cheshire, turned up with their parents in red suits and hats and with the trademark black boots and belts - but minus the white, flowing beard.

They posed happily for pictures outside the Rovers Return then spent the day enjoying the Christmas grotto and watching an Aladdin pantomime.

Their mother Sara said: "We were surprised that they were the only ones to turn up but they loved being the centre of attention.

"Their grandmother had made the costumes for them and they had a fabulous day.