VANDALS have wrecked Santa's sleigh locked away in its off-season store.

The Bedford open-backed truck was locked in a garage, and is used to help raise money for local charities.

Vandals broke a window to get in the garage, broke the truck's windows and headlights, and scattered the contents of the garage, including a Father Christmas outfit, around the building, in the Blossomgate area of Ripon.

Now, instead of distributing more money to charity, Ripon Lions club and the Rotary Rowels are faced with a repair bill of hundreds of pounds.

Ripon Lions club secretary Roger Pool said: "We collected the money for charity and will now have to spend some of it repairing the senseless damage.

"We just cannot understand the action. Nothing was stolen, it was just mindless vandalism."

For 25 years, the charitable groups have toured the area with the sleigh, raising thousands of pounds for good causes.

Carols are played as Santa is driven around, and the vehicle is decked in flashing lights.

Last year's effort raised more than £2,500, and among donations from the proceeds was a new piece of equipment for Ripon Community Hospital.

A donation was also made to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Mr Pool said volunteers were angry and frustrated by the damage and may have to move the vehicle to a remote farm site.

Three years ago, Father Christmas had eggs and stones thrown at him by some local youngsters, but the fundraisers are determined not to be beaten by the vandals. They said their annual attraction will return to its rounds in December.

Mr Pool said: "It brings great cheer and enjoyment for the young children who believe in Father Christmas, and is overwhelmingly supported by local people, who eagerly await our visits at their open doors."

Although the damage was only discovered recently, it is believed to have been caused just before the Easter holiday.

Police are investigating the vandalism, and anyone with information about the incident is asked to call (01765) 677860.