WANTED: fat, cheery and red-faced man with a cloud of whiskers (genuine or stick-on, we're not fussy).

York city centre has lost its Santa. Thanks to a double booking, the festive fat man has moved his grotto to Lancashire, of all the places.

While individual Santas will be appearing at stores and other venues in York, the city centre will be left bereft. Apparently, it is too late to find a replacement Santa - unless a portly and obliging gentleman reads this.

Updated: 10:12 Monday, November 17, 2003