How to write to Saint Nicolas in Belgium

An army of Belgian postal workers are ready to deliver more than 300,000 letters to Saint Nicolas between now and 6 December.

Bpost has confirmed the practical details for any child (or adult) wanting to write to the Saint this festive season.

Saint Nicolas still does not have an email address, so all letters must be handwritten and posted. A stamp is not required.

While children can pen their letter in any language they want – the Saint speaks all the languages of the world, of course – they will receive a response in either Dutch or French, depending on the address to which the letter is sent.

The French address is Saint-Nicolas, Rue du Paradis 1, 0612 Ciel. The Dutch version is Sinterklaas, Spanjestraat 1, 0612 Hemel

Letters sent before 29 November will receive a reply in time for 6 December - and a small surprise gift. Bpost is also decorating 2,000 of its classic red postboxes with a long white beard for the occasion.