Santa arrives 54 days too early (01.11.06)

Hours after the passing of Halloween with candles in the Jack-o'-lanterns still flickering and four days before Bonfire Night, our man with the white beard, Santa Claus has decided to show his face at Manchester Town Hall.

If he hangs about until the New Year he'll be up there nine weeks and given his chosen location, may end up receiving a council tax demand.

(No doubt the cries of "Bar Humbug" are sounding out from around the www).