A SLEIGH and reindeer may be OK for Christmas cards and cartoons, but last week Santa Claus opted for an altogether more up-to-date mode of transport.

Donner and Blitzen were left in the stalls when Father Christmas took advantage of some military hospitality and borrowed a Gazelle helicopter from the 9 Regiment Army Air Corps.

After his flight, Santa literally dropped in on local children to hand out some early treats.

He met excited youngsters at the Dishforth Airfield school before going to Boroughbridge Primary School and Martin House Hospice at Boston Spa.