Santa Claus delivers Christmas presents to a favela in Rio de Janerio

Volunteers have been distributing donated toys to children living in the Maré Favela, home to around 130,000 people.

Father Christmas has been delivering toys to children in Rio de Janeiro's slums.

Leandro Wendell, dressed as Santa Claus, has been distributing toys to children in the city's Maré favela - home to around 130,000 people.

Leandro is a member of a volunteer group of favela residents who collect donated toys to give to disadvantaged children.

As Father Christmas, he was photographed delivering the presents on a heavily-laden bicycle, playing with children in the favela's narrow alleyways as well as on the beach.

Prior to the 2014 Rio World Cup, Maré was occupied by 1,300 Brazilian police officers and marines in an attempt to neutralise gang presence during the competition, the BBC reported.