SANTA Claus has a new reindeer after two carousel horses which were helping to pull his sleigh were decapitated.

The horses, which were made of fibreglass and polystyrene, used to pull the sleigh belonging to Sherburn-in-Elmet Lions Club which, with Santa at the helm, tours the area each year to raise money for charity.

Back in 2006, Lion Paul Smith, one of Santa’s official helpers, was at the wheel of the sleigh near Barkston Ash.

Mr Smith said a car crash had brought down a power cable and left them strung across the road. Being at night Mr Smith was unable to see them, the cables went over the top of the sleigh but took the heads off the horses. They were patched up, but Sherburn-in-Elmet Lions have been on the lookout for a replacement ever since.

But they now have a new, as yet nameless, reindeer which was bought for £200.

Mr Smith and fellow Lion, Doug Morley, have also fully refurbished Santa’s sleigh, in premises supplied by local business Emmerson Doors – which are also providing a pick-up truck to tow the sleigh around the towns and villages in the area.

The sleigh and new reindeer were taken for their first outing on Monday evening around Ulleskelf, and apart from a couple of hiccups with a stereo system and generator were working fine. Santa will now be on his rounds most days in the run- up to Christmas.

In total, Sherburn-in-Elmet Lions expect to raise about £3,500 which this year will go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

As well as waving to Santa, local children can also get involved by naming the new reindeer.

The Lions will be giving a £10 book voucher to the best name and all suggestions should be emailed to santa.elmetlions@gmx.com


Sleigh routes

Dec 2: Barkston Ash
Dec 3: Burton Salmon
Dec 4: Sherburn – Finkle Hill
Dec 5: NO RUN
Dec 6: Church Fenton 3pm – 8pm
Dec 7: NO RUN
Dec 8: Sherburn – Moor Lane and Pinfolds
Dec 9: Sherburn – New Lane
Dec 10: Sherburn – Springfields
Dec 11: Sherburn – Kirkgate
Dec 12: NO RUN
Dec 13: South Milford 3pm – 8pm
Dec 14: South Milford – Low Street
Dec 15: Sherburn – Fairways
Dec 16: Sherburn – Pastures
Dec 17: Sherburn – Eversley Park 1
Dec 18: Sherburn – Eversley Park 2
Dec 19: NO RUN
Dec 20: Hillam and Monk FrystonAll runs from 6pm to 8pm unless otherwise stated.