NESTL Rowntree said "Let there be lights" and there were lights. And lo, there was much rejoicing in the streets of York, for the city had been cast out of darkness and into a twinkly winter wonderland.

And the wise men said, verily it is like the olden days of Rowntree paternalism. Merchants offered up prayers of thanksgiving to the mighty gods of KitKat and Mammon. Fires were lit throughout the city, and chestnuts roasted upon them (£3 a bag).

Then the good people of York turned to the one man banished from the feast and to say: "Come back Santa, all is forgiven."

Updated: 11:14 Thursday, November 18, 2004