Health and safety threatens the survival of Santa

The survival of Santa into the 21st century is under threat, as concerns over meeting stringent health and safety standards are leading schools and stores to cancel visits from Santa.

A report out this week revealed that one agency which specialises in Santa placements has seen bookings halve over the last five years. And the Santas that manage to find employment are also finding that the magic of the grotto has been swapped for a bare room where parents can see in to check that nothing untoward is going on.

A spokesperson for free speech organisation The Manifesto Club said: 'Everything from enclosed grottoes to sitting on Santa's knee is now seen as unacceptable in some quarters. In many department stores, a stand-offish Santa handing out presents under strip lighting has replaced an atmospheric Lapland grotto.

'This isn't about 'PC gone mad'. Sadly, these procedures have become entirely normal in schools, churches and community centres across Britain.'

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