Bodyguard for Santa after attacks

Organisers hope the bodyguard will ward off troublemakers

Santa Claus has had to employ bodyguards after being attacked on his sleigh in the Black Country.

Organisers in Tipton have taken the precaution after Santas in previous years had stones and abuse thrown at them by youths.

The bodyguards will tackle any troublemakers as the Tipton Community Association sleigh makes its way around the town.

It tours the streets every Christmas collecting cash for charity.

Every fundraising outing of the motorised sleigh will now have four collectors plus a driver and the security guard, as well as Santa, to deter troublemakers.

Barry Whitehouse, president of the association, said: "We have had problems in the past with yobs so we decided to bring an extra person in.

"It is just a safety measure we have put in place."