FATHER Christmas came down the chimney but was promptly ushered out the front door when a fire alarm was set off during a Selby Christmas fair.

Coun Steve Shaw-Wright, dressed as Santa, was forced to grab his elves and run when the jingle bells rang at the town hall.

Selby council clerk Howard Kemp said it appeared that someone had smashed a glass fire alarm in the entrance to the town hall.

"Everyone was ushered out, and it all went according to the drills, but there was a delay in turning it off.

"The building was checked thoroughly by staff, and there was obviously no fire, but there was a bit of a problem in shutting the alarm off."

Santa spent three-quarters of an hour in a festive pose under the Christmas tree outside the town hall while council workers looked for the code needed to switch the alarm off.

"I just stood there waving at passers-by, wishing them season's greetings. And I got a few beeps from them in return," he said.

"The spirit of Christmas ran through, and everyone was very understanding about the alarm."

The advent fair had been organised by Sparks (Selby Parents are Reading with Kids).

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