Santa road protester is arrested

The man spent several hours on a gantry over the A40

A lorry driver who dressed up as Father Christmas and brought chaos to a main road into London has been arrested.

The 43-year-old man climbed onto a road sign on the A40 as part of a protest over fathers' rights.

The road was shut between the Paddington Slip and Wood Lane in west London leading to long tailbacks.

The man came down at 1150 GMT after eight hours and was arrested for endangering road traffic, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

By mid-morning two lanes were opened in each direction and the queues began to ease.

The protester, who gave his name as Ivor, earlier rang BBC London 94.9 and apologised to motorists whose journeys were delayed.

I've got two children who live with my ex-wife and I'm getting no access Ivor, protester

"I've got two children who live with my ex-wife and I'm getting no access," he said.

"I have indirect contact which is being broken constantly. The judges don't do anything about it.

"The only way you're going to get noticed is by doing demonstrations like this."

He said he had food and water with him.

The campaign group Fathers 4 Justice told BBC News Online it had not been an official protest by their group.

Spokesman Glen Poole said: "We completely understand the desperation that drives fathers to take such extreme action because they are refused access to their children."

Last month roads were closed when a man campaigning for fathers' rights spent six days on a crane near Tower Bridge dressed as Spiderman.

He has denied causing a public nuisance.