We may be set for record-breaking temperatures today as the glorious summer of 2013 provides one last blast of searing heat and blue skies.

But the Christmas spirit has already swept into Ipswich after a Santa’s grotto company started advertising jobs for elves.

Great Grottos is looking for full-time and part-time Christmas elves to act as Santa’s little helpers in the Buttermarket shopping centre.

The company told The Star the successful applicants would end up working in the town-centre mall over the festive season.

Currently, people thinking of becoming a Christmas elf this year can register their interest.

It is understood the elf’s responsibilities will include managing queues of excited children and taking snaps of the kids on Father Christmas’s lap.

So what qualities are the company looking for in their Christmas elves? Elf-assurance and good elf-esteem?

Well, as part of the job description published on the Directgov job website, the company says: “We need outgoing, enthusiastic and motivated individuals to play the part of Christmas elves.

“We are looking for people who have a professional approach to customer service whilst creating a magical and memorable experience for our customers.”

In addition to marshalling excited children into orderly queues and photographing youngsters on Santa’s lap, ideal applicants will “be confident and outgoing as a considerable amount of customer interaction and improvisation will be required throughout,” the company added.

The firm said successful applicants will be responsible for making the families and children welcome into the centre.

Prospective elves are asked to submit a CV and a photograph. To express an interest in the full and part time positions, phone 01306 886989.

At the bottom of the job posting the company added: “We are holding recruitment days within the next couple of weeks so ensure you get in contact!”

When contacted, a spokesman for Great Grottos declined to comment until the job was “definitely” going ahead in Ipswich.

Do you have an unusual job? Email matthew.stott@archant.co.uk