PARENTS and children are queuing to get a hug from a very cold man in the biting wind of Coppergate centre today.

They all want their pictures taken with The Snowman, the popular children's character.

He is visiting Fenwicks to celebrate 40 years since he first went walking in the air.

His faithful travelling companion Sandy Magee said he had been the centre of attention since he first walked into the shopping centre this morning.

He is particularly popular with women, many of whom have had their picture taken with him as they recapture the magic of their childhood.

"It was great," said Mel Dibnah, who with her grown-up daughter and three other grown-up relatives got her moment with The Snowman. "I'm going to show it to my grandson."

The adults weren't alone in appreciating The Snowman. Child after child got a hug and their picture taken.

Later today, The Snowman is invited inside to the Toy Department of Fenwicks - and steps have been taken to ensure that he doesn't melt indoors as in the iconic children's tales.