Not so ho, ho, ho! Walton's Father Christmas is fuming after his reindeer's part in the town's festive parade seemed to be in jeopardy.
Flashback - Father Christmas and reindeer Rudolph meet Laura Maryson-Eden and Jonah Thomas in Walton last year. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (39623-5)
Health and safety officials in the north of England recently declared that Rudolph and his four-legged friends posed a hygiene risk to the crowds in another town.
Santa's spokesman, John Halls, set to step aboard a sleigh to help, said: "Apparently they claimed anyone who touched the animals should be able to wash their hands immediately.
"A hygiene risk. Just how ridiculous is that? I mean, it's officialdom gone mad."
The six reindeers, which cost the Walton organisers more than £2,500 to hire, are the same animals. They are flown in from the Cairngorms in Scotland and were first featured in the resort's late-night shopping parade last year, proving a smash hit with young and old alike.
"If we had to scrap them, it would have been disastrous. They are specially trained and very well looked after," said Mr Halls.
A Tendring Council spokesman said: "There doesn't appear to be much of an issue here, because the animals' owners actually discourage petting.
"But we will be advising the event's organisers that some provision might be made for people to clean their hands if they do touch the reindeer. It's just common sense."
The six reindeer are set to pull Santa's sleigh through the town from Mill Lane, into High Street and The Parade at about 5.30pm on Friday.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Wednesday, November 23, 2005
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