SANTA CLAUS takes time out after distributing Christmas cheer in York - six months early.

The Holiday Inn in Tadcaster Road invited local businesses for a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings yesterday, June 25 - exactly half a year before the real festival.

Father Christmas himself turned up, and visitors got into the spirit of the occasion with champagne and crackers.

A hotel spokeswoman explained that Holiday Inns nationwide were all holding the festive lunch yesterday to promote the hotel's range of Christmas party nights later in the year.

She said the chain would be holding other festive events on the 25th of each month.

Updated: 09:28 Saturday, June 26, 2004