SANTA'S little helpers are getting very nervous as Father Christmas seems to have disappeared just six weeks before his big day.

Every year, Santa visits the Festive Grotto in Blackburn Shopping Centre to find out what all the children want for Christmas.

But this year he hasn't turned up. Head fairy Gaynor Green said: "It looks like Santa has got stuck up the chimney and we just can't find anyone to take over the red outfit.

"I'm sure he'll be all right for delivering presents on Christmas Eve, but our grotto opens a week on Saturday and we still haven't got anyone to stand in for Father Christmas.

"We've got all Santa's elves, helpers and fairies but we are just waiting for the man himself. There must be a mature, energetic person out there who would be perfect for the job and would love to earn some extra money."

The red suit and white beard will be provided and Santa must be available from November 20 to Christmas Eve. If you can Ho Ho Ho with the best of them and are interested in the job call Gaynor on 0161 725 9991.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.