SANTA CLAUS has stopped visiting children in Wellington leading up to Christmas because of parents’ inconsiderate parking.

For generations, Santa has asked local Rotary Club members to drive him around the town’s estates on the back of a pick-up truck on ten nights in the run-up to Christmas so he can meet children personally and help raise funds for charity.

But this year Rotarians have had to tell Santa they cannot take him any longer because too many roads have become impassable due to parked cars.

Instead, they are putting up a town centre marquee for Santa to use on the next two Saturday mornings and hoping that children’s parents will be able to bring them to see him.

Rotarian Richard Coupe told the Wellington Weekly how disappointing it was that crowded roads meant Santa could not get around town this year.

Mr Coupe said: “Getting a pick-up truck with Santa and a Christmas tree up many of the roads, especially cul de sacs, is increasingly difficult and especially reversing and turning which requires several Rotarians to ensure it is safe.

“Excited children are not always accompanied by parents and can pose a real health and safety concern as well.”

Mr Coupe said taking Santa around town also involved Rotarians walking several miles and as members were becoming older they were finding it harder to do.

Covid-19 was also still a real concern this year for elderly Rotarians who accompanied Santa with charity collection buckets.

Mr Coupe said Santa’s tour usually raised about £4,000 a year which went to local charities supported by Rotary but now he expected only about half that amount would be taken.

Anybody who would like to donate to the Rotary collection, which helps organisations including cancer charity Hope for Tomorrow, can do so by calling 01823 666229.