Gifts left by secret Santa on trees in UK ‘are litter hazard’

LONDON - The phantom Santa who has been leaving gifts on trees in Wales has been banned from doing so as it could see him being prosecuted under the litter and fly-tipping laws.

The secret Santa had left the gifts in a country park near Llanelli, South Wales, with the message “Goodwill and good spirit” written on them.

But the foul weather has ruined some of the presents and the finders have simply thrown them away as litter.

Carmarthenshire council officials have appealed for the benefactor, who signs himself as ‘the Woodland Santa’, to work in partnership with them to avoid any unseasonable brushes with the law.

“It’s an unusual problem for us. We certainly don’t want to be the first authority to be labelled Scrooges for citing Santa for fly tipping,” the Daily Mail quoted councillor Clive Scourfield as saying.

“We would like to come to some kind of arrangement to better distribute his generosity - even if it is anonymously,” he said.

The festive offerings started to appear in late October when two bags stuffed with fluffy toys were hung from trees. Since then gifts have been left regularly.

“Tis the season to be jolly and giving - but this does cause us a few problems. We cannot leave the presents out because of littering issues,” park manager Rory Dickinson said.

“Rangers have started a collection and will pass on the gifts to a suitable children’s charity,” he stated. (ANI)