Santa's grotto at Essex farm market wrecked by raiders

Vandals who broke into a Christmas market in Essex wrecked Santa's grotto and stole two of his helpers.

The raid at Marsh Farm in South Woodham Ferrers happened overnight, police said.

"After the break-in an amount of damage was done and two gnome figures were stolen from the Santa display."

Staff at the farm said they had gone into work on Saturday to find trees knocked over and some distinctive elf figures stolen.

Police are appealing for information.