SANTA'S reindeer face being grounded this Christmas - by bluetongue disease.

Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen and friends were all lined up to pull Santa to grottoes across the region next month.

But Government restrictions on the movement of animals, imposed after an outbreak of bluetongue disease in South-East England, have left them stranded - hundreds of miles away in Kent.

Sandra Fagg, manager of The Reindeer Centre, near Ashford, said: "We just don't know what's going to happen. It's disastrous.

"The reindeer work all year for Christmas. They know it's coming. They'll be expecting to get their harnesses on and meet everyone.

"It's so sad. I don't know what to tell the children.

"We're really struggling. Sometimes it's so bad we don't want to get up in the morning.

"They might lift the restrictions in time, but we don't know what's going to happen from one day to the next. Our hands are tied."

Mrs Fagg keeps 110 reindeer - the largest herd in England. The animals travel to events across the country.

Two reindeer, father and son Triumph and Mic-Mac, were due to pull Santa to the Durham Storybook Christmas Festival.

Festival organiser Jacqueline Wallace said: "We're still waiting to hear whether the reindeer will be able to join us for the weekend's festivities.

"There will be plenty of other things going on, but it will be such a shame for Triumph and Mic-Mac. We're keeping everything crossed."

Mrs Wallace tried to bring in reindeer from Scotland, but they are too busy.

She is sure Santa will make it to the event, but admits he may have to leave his four-legged friends behind.

Stone Wallace, six, from Chester-le-Street, said: "It would not be right if Father Christmas had to come in a taxi or on a bus. My Christmas wish is the reindeer can bring him instead."

Bluetongue disease has been found on 60 farms across South-East England. Control zones have been set up to prevent infected animals being moved across the country.

The Durham Storybook Christmas Festival will feature Christmas characters such as Ebeneezer Scrooge and the Snow Queen, Santa's grotto, a lantern parade and other attractions, and will be held in venues across the city on Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2, between 10am and 5pm.