CHILDREN in Burnley town centre will not be able to tell Santa Claus what they want for Christmas this year because of red tape and spiralling costs.

Town-centre chiefs have revealed that Santa won't be in his grotto this year because of rules designed to protect children and the cost of staging the event.

However, youngsters will be able to see the jovial figure when he makes a number of visits to the town centre to hand out chocolates.

Lisa Durkin, town-centre manager, said any potential Father Christmas would have to go through a number of vetting processes including a criminal records check before he could be employed, and he could not be left alone with children.

And she added it was getting more expensive to have a town-centre Santa.

She said: "Traditionally we have had a grotto for many years but there will not be one this year for a combination of reasons.

"There are a lot of issues like child protection and the availability of a vacant area. Something like this costs a couple of thousand pounds to set up, then you have to spend about £800 on presents."

The town last had a Santa's Grotto two years ago and charged £1, which went to the mayor's appeal. To keep youngsters entertained this year, an animated Christmas display featuring snowmen and Christmas trees is in its place in Burnley market.

Miss Durkin said town-centre bosses would probably have had to charge at least £2 admission if there was a grotto and many

towns and cities charge up to £5.

She added that the town centre management team would be speaking to shopkeepers in the new year to see if they want to help fund the grotto for Christmas next year.

"The last time we had one, we charged and people complained and were bringing presents back saying they did not want them and wanted something else.

"We have tried to think of ways around this and we will be having a visiting Santa who will be walking round the town centre," she said.

Santa walkabout sessions will be held on Thursday, December 16, between 5pm and 7pm, Sunday, December 19, between 11am and 3pm, Thursday, December 23, between 5pm and 7pm, and Friday, December 24 between 10am and noon.