A FATHER Christmas on a charity collection float was hit on the head by a rock thrown by a gang of yobs.

The teenagers hurled stones and rotten eggs at his festive float for 30 minutes while he and other charity volunteers were on a special pre-Christmas visit to Blackrod.

Horwich Rotary Club had taken its Santa float into Blackrod as part of a drive to raise £7,000 for local charities,

But the volunteers were forced to abandon their journey along Vicarage Road and Santa went to hospital to be checked over. A Rotary spokesman said: "Father Christmas had to abandon his trip because it became too dangerous.

"It's unbelievably sad when this sort of thing happens -- but Santa will not be defeated by yobs."

He was back a few hours later offering Christmas cheer to children in Horwich while nursing a sore head.

The Rotary Club's Santa has made more than a dozen visits to Blackrod and the surrounding towns during the past fortnight.

The tours by the festive float are the Rotary Club's biggest annual fund-raising events and all the money goes to good causes. But Rotarians say the yobs that caused Tuesday night's collection to be cancelled have put a dent in this year's proceeds.

And that means that needy children could lose out.

Dr Peter Green, the Horwich club's assistant secretary, said: "I was towing Santa's float along Vicarage Road when my car, the float and other vehicles in the procession came under attack.

" Father Christmas was hit on the head with a stone, which caused us to abandon the collection.

"These yobs spoiled the enjoyment of the children in that part of Blackrod.

"They will now miss seeing Santa and our Christmas collection proceeds will be reduced as a result.

"I have always been proud of being born in Blackrod, but I was embarrassed about that fact on Tuesday night."