SAINTS marched in to brighten the day for nursery children who were victims of a mean thief.

When the Saints Community Foundation heard that an eight-foot inflatable Santa figure had been stolen from Little Saints Nursery in Halefield Street they sent along Boots the mascot to cheer up the children.

Nursery manager Mandy Hughes told the Star: “It’s shocking someone could do this. When the children left the Santa was deflated so somebody must have seen it during the daytime. They climbed over the railings, cut the wire securing the Santa to a pole then climbed back out again with him.

“He cost us about £80 and we have had to replace him with a slightly smaller figure, but parents enjoy coming to the nursery and having their picture taken with him and the children.

“It was so nice to have the St Helens rugby mascot here to make up for the disappointment.”