Is this Santa's grotto in Bath the most environmentally-friendly in the UK?

  • Watch Victoria Davies' report

A Christmas grotto designed to make children appreciate the joy of pre-loved toys has opened in Bath.

The elf-o-matic is a machine which turns old toys into new. 

Children are encouraged to take an unwanted or toy, or a toy they have outgrown, to the grotto on Old Bond Street.

They can put it into the elf-powered machine in return to a golden ticket which allows them to choose an up-cycled toy of their choice.

Children are encouraged to put an unwanted toy into the elf-o-matic so it can be recycled.

Allison Herbert from Bath Business Improvement District said: “I always had to clean the old toys out for the new toys to arrive at Christmas and I thought wouldn't it be great if we could make a grotto that is a bit different, where you could help that process to happen.

"Everyone has an old toy they don't want anymore and how nice to get something different.”

Children receive a golden ticket they can exchange for an up-cycled toy.

Organisers say this could well be the most environmentally-friendly Christmas grotto in the country.

It is hoped the machine, which has interactive levers and dials, will show children sharing and reusing can be just as magical as getting something new.

“We are explaining to children that new is not necessarily the most important thing,” said Lorna Montgomery from Share and Repair Bath.

Children can choose any toy from the pre-loved shelf.

“A toy is a toy and it has a long life.

"When children have finished with it somebody else can enjoy it as well. 

“It is all helpful for the environment because everything new has to be made from resources from the earth so let's use pre-loved toys and enjoy them for longer.”

The elf-o-matic is made from recycled material.

“I think it's a brilliant idea,” said mum-of-three Anna Whiteside. 

She added: “Such a great idea to swap things and get something new, it's all about recycling which is really important.”