FOLLOWING on from your recent article about the development of the former Co-op/Victoria House site (August 13), I cannot be the only one who wonders whatever happened to the wonderful Santa's Sleigh which was so much a part of York during the run up to Christmas. I feel it is as worthy of preservation as some of our ancient buildings.

I can well remember as a child in the late 1950s going on the magical ride with the reindeers heads bobbing along at the front while we flew through clouds of snowflakes in a blackened sky.

In their turn, my own children were equally impressed and I anticipated the day I would see the look of delight on my grandchildren's faces as we took flight. Now all I can look forward to is escorting my grandchildren through a store's toy department to an MDF grotto only to find Santa out to lunch.

Does anyone know what happened to this piece of local history?

Mrs A Wood,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 10:00 Saturday, August 18, 2001