Changed Santa tour plans stop outside funeral home

The changes to the Santa route will now be discussed at a public meeting

Plans to change the route of a 65-year-old Santa tour, including a stop outside a funeral home, have been met with anger by residents.

Great Aycliffe Town Council announced a "magical makeover" to the annual Newton Aycliffe tradition on Facebook before the post was edited to say "proposed changes to Santa tours".

The proposals mean Santa will not ride around all of Aycliffe in his sleigh but instead stop at designated spots, including outside the Co-op funeral home on MacMillan Road, due to a lack of volunteers and suitable vehicles.

A council spokesperson said it had been hard keeping the tours "safe and reliable" and highlighted how last year two routes were nearly cancelled.

A recreation committee meeting is being held to discuss the plans, which is open to the public, at Newton Aycliffe council offices on Wednesday at 19:00 GMT.

Resident Russ Gibson told Radio Tees he did not think councillors understood "how passionate the town is about this heritage".

He said: "Generations upon generations have grown up and had children and everyone goes and sees Santa.

"I don't see how going out to meet in a concentrated area is better than looking out of the window and listening for the bell before going out for a look."

'Magic listening for bell'

Independent councillor Jordan Gill said he wanted the tour to "keep going with the current format".

He also said elderly people might struggle to get to specific locations.

"I have lived here since the 90s and it's the magic of listening for the bell on Christmas Eve," Gill said.

"I don't see what magic can come from leaving your house at a certain time and going to a stop and queuing."

Gill also said autistic children might not be comfortable going to see Santa in large crowds.

A Great Aycliffe Town Council spokesperson said: "Our town is growing, and with more parked cars and narrow streets, it's become harder to keep the tours safe and reliable.

"Finding enough volunteers and suitable vehicles has also been a challenge - last year, two routes nearly had to be cancelled.

"These updates ensure everyone can enjoy the magic without worry, while keeping our volunteers and residents safe and reducing the risk of anyone missing out on seeing Santa."