YOBS with air rifles deflated a family's Christmas - by firing at a blow-up Father Christmas decoration outside their house.

The 8ft Santa Claus - lighting up the neighbourhood and spreading seasonal cheer in Chapelfields in York - was pierced by a gun pellet that then lodged in a bedroom window ledge.

Owner Sean Harley today said the attack by drive-by vandals did not just take the shine off the festive spirit, it could have ended in serious injury to his daughter.

Mr Harley said if the pellet had been fired a few inches higher it may have hit eight-year-old Bethanny, who was playing on a computer in a first floor bedroom.

Mr Harley, 34, was alerted to the incident when he heard an air rifle noise, then saw a car speed off and a window being wound up.

The fork lift truck driver did not initially notice any damage to the fabric Santa, the latest in a line of novelty festive items decorating the outside of his house.

But Mr Harley later discovered a pellet had pierced the £40 Santa and left a pellet lodged in the window sill.

"I think they have aimed at the decoration on purpose," the Bramham Road resident told the Evening Press.

"They shot it near enough right in the middle. This is someone who knows what they are doing with an air rifle.

"Another three inches up and it could have hit my little girl."

He issued a warning to other people with similar decorations that there are "idiots" targeting them.

Mr Harley said he felt privileged to have such eye-catching decorations that gave local children such enjoyment.

"But if I feel that my family are going to be in danger because of these idiots with air rifles I will them down, and that will penalise everyone who enjoys them."

On the vandals, he said: "If that's there mentality, it's a bad world we are living in."

Mr Harley's house has become a focal point for community Christmas celebrations in the last four years.

Decorations strewn around the property and collected over the years, include a 3D Santa hanging off a balloon, a silver tree with lights and Father Christmas sitting on a moon.

The incident happened on Wednesday, between 6.30pm and 7pm.

A York Police spokeswoman said they were investigating Mr Harley's complaint about an air rifle incident.

Updated: 09:42 Monday, December 20, 2004