THE Northern Echo will be reporting live from Wednesday night’s meeting to discuss controversial changes to a town’s annual Santa Tour.

A meeting of Great Aycliffe Town Council’s recreation committee will include an item on options for the future of the popular event.

The Christmas Eve tour has been a festive fixture in Newton Aycliffe for decades and sees Santa visiting every street in the town. But a council sub-committee heard two weeks ago that health and safety laws means that Santa can no longer travel on the back of a moving vehicle, prompting a rethink.

The council insists the tours will not be scrapped, but says the format will have to change because of the legal issues.

However, the report has drawn an angry backlash from residents, who want the tours to stay as they are.

Many residents say they will attend tomorrow evening’s meeting to protest and ask questions.

The meeting, at the council offices on School Aycliffe Lane, is due to start after a meeting of the environment committee at 7.15pm.

To view a live blog of the meeting as it happens, visit thenorthernecho.co.uk