The one-foot-high Father Christmas vanished from the London Tavern in Poulner during Advent in 2019. At that time the landlord Phil Hoyle appealed for those who took him to show some Christmas spirit and bring him back, but Phil had given up all hope of seeing him again – until this month. On opening up his pub one morning he found Santa had returned.

With him was a note expressing the thieves’ sorrow and further explaining that ‘we had drunk far too much’.

Phil said: “We are delighted he’s been returned and thank those who walked off with him for bringing him back.

“He appears in good shape despite his ordeal and is still clutching the pair of skis he had with him.

“We had got him to promote our Alpine Bar which we ran that year and he really did light up children’s faces.

“This Christmas the decorations are up, the log fire is on and our Santa is back above the bar where he belongs.”

Phil added that those who took him are “forgiven and are welcome back” but he would like them to “leave all our decorations alone.” After all, no one wants to Claus a scene at Christmas especially when Santa can’t have the final sleigh.