COMPENSATION culture has resulted in Father Christmas being banned from Leigh town centre.

"Soon you won't be able to do anything," said a distraught Cllr Brian Jarvis, who has tried to lift festive spirit to new heights.

"It this crazy claims culture. The local authority is frightened of doing anything because of legal implications.

"We wanted to extend the Christmas lights theme and brighten the town centre with hanging baskets, but we can't put them anywhere in case they fall on somebody!

"We would have had the best lights in the North West with lights in trees on the civic square and more along Railway Road.

"But we can't because of health and safety limitations.

"And we can't have a Christmas parade for the same reasons. We'd have to put barriers all along the route.

"It's crazy -- I'm concerned about where we are heading."