SANTA may call it a day in Radcliffe -- after his sleigh was ambushed by young thugs and he was hit on the head by a stone.

The attack happened on Monday -- the first night that the Radcliffe Rotary Club float set out on its annual fund-raising rounds.

"It was fortunate that his wig cushioned the impact otherwise he might have ended up in hospital," said appalled club vice president Mr Frank Nicholson.

A gang of up to 15 children aged between ten and 15 used the network of back alleys around Ulundi Street, Lord Street, Abden Street and School Street to stage a relentless attack on the float. One child even tried to hit Santa with an inflatable hammer. "They pelted us with eggs and even went into shops to buy more when they ran out of ammunition," said Mr Nicholson.

"Santa's costume has had to be washed and we've had to swill down the sleigh because it was a real mess."

As a result of the thuggish behaviour the club is seriously considering scrapping the tour which has brought Christmas magic to little children for more than 20 years.

"The irony is that these youngsters who attacked Father Christmas were probably waving to him five years ago," said Mr Nicholson.

"Some members have refused to volunteer to man the float because it is getting so dangerous and if there's another attack then I for one would be willing to abandon the collection once and for all. There's nothing we can do to prevent it.

"Phoning the police is a waste of time because the youngsters run off as soon as they arrive, so what's the alternative? Father Christmas having to wear a crash helmet?"

As well as children missing out on seeing Santa, local charities would suffer if the float was abandoned.

Last year the club collected around £6,000 for the elderly and other charities.

The attack mirrors events in Little Hulton two years ago when Santa had to have a police escort.

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