A PAIR of reindeer have had to be confined to their paddock in the run-up to Christmas because they cannot bear to be apart.

Instead of prancing and dancing at seasonal community events the pair, named Thunder and Lightning, from Lords House Farm, Whalley Road, Rishton, will be staying at the charity's base.

And at one event, a Christmas lights switch-on on Monday, the Reindeer are to be replaced by a Shetland pony wearing antlers!

Lords House organisers have been forced to rule out festive appearances for their reindeer because of worries that they will become stressed if they are separated.

And Thunder cannot go anywhere at present because he is suffering from asthma which would be exacerbated by being moved off the farm.

Managers at Accrington's ASDA store has asked whether the farm, which specialises in educational and therapeutic activities for disabled people, could provide a reindeer for their Christmas lights switch on this Monday.

But Lords House organisers said the best they replacement they could offer was the Shetland pony.

Kath Thacker, volunteer and activity co-ordinator at the charity, said: "ASDA asked if we could take the reindeer down but they don't travel well and they could get stressed.

"They don't like it if you split them up so we are going to put antlers on one of our four Shetland ponies instead. The kids love them just as much.

"We got Thunder and Lightning from Blackpool Zoo three years ago and they will be appearing in our Santa's grotto at the farm this month."

On December 13 and 21, Lords House Farm is holding a grotto with Father Christmas in which the reindeer will take a starring role.

The charity's llamas will also be kitted out as camels and take part in a nativity scene.

At Blackburn ASDA, where they were also due to appear tonight, the reindeer were placed with a pantomime horse.