AARDMAN, the creator of Wallace and Gromit delivers a feast of family fun for the festive season in this hugely entertaining computer-animated comedy about Santa’s 21st Century operations.

At its heart is a selfless young man who believes every child is important at Christmas and that we are all responsible for keeping the magic alive.

Santa (voiced by Jim Broadbent) proudly oversees this year’s delivery of presents in his hi-tech spacecraft, masterminded with military precision by eldest son Steve (Hugh Laurie), while youngest son Arthur (James McAvoy) excitedly answers correspondence from the children of the world. When a malfunction means British girl Gwen (Ramona Marquez) doesn’t receive her pink bicycle, Steve scoffs “who cares about one single child?” and is met by stunned silence from the elves.

With time running out until Gwen’s Christmas is ruined, Arthur joins forces with Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) and wrapping elf Bryony (Ashley Jensen) to deliver her gift using the old sleigh and a team of retired reindeers.

The film is festooned with loveable characters and belly laughs, from Laurie’s pompous Santa-in-waiting to Nighy’s old-timer who rejects all of these technological improvements to centuries of tradition.

Imelda Staunton lends her warm tones to Mrs Santa and Justin Bieber sings a suitably jolly rendition of Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town over the end credits.