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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Steven Morris

‘Kids were in tears’: visitors complain of Santa ‘shambles’ at Hampshire grotto

Santa Hampshire Winchester
A man dressed as Santa, waving at the camera
This year’s Santa (pictured) was described by one visitor as ‘just a guy dressed up in a cheap red suit with a blatantly fake beard’. Photograph: Solent News & Photo Agency

Finding the right candidate to play the part of Santa (when the real one is too busy preparing for the festive season) can be a tricky task.

But a popular festive event at one of the finest medieval halls in the UK has had to offer refunds because its new Father Christmas was not considered up to scratch.

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