LOOKS like Santa will have to go back to relying on Rudolph and co on Christmas Eve after having a bit of car trouble in Warrington this week. 

Jennie Williams posted the clip on Facebook earlier this week of Father Christmas waving to families along Cumberland Street in Latchford on Tuesday night. 

But after passing a few houses he can be heard apologising for not stopping as the 'clutch had gone'. 

He added: "Merry Christmas everyone. I've got a problem with the car. The clutch has gone."

Jennie posted the footage on Tuesday night which has now been watched by more than 119,000 people. 

She added: "Only in Warrington!"

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And after posting the video on our Facebook page earlier this morning, we have since heard from the big man himself that he will be returning to Cumberland Street and the surrounding homes in Latchford because he 'didn't want to let any of the children down'. 

Tony Gandy, who has been playing Father Christmas for 30 years and visiting homes on his sleigh for the past 10 years, said he had been touched by the number of offers of help. 

He added: "We have got the best Christmas sleigh in Great Britain with moving reindeers and music playing so everybody normally wants to come out and get a picture. 

"But all of a sudden the clutch went on the Renault towing the sleigh so we could get it into gear but couldn't stop so we had to keep going.

"I was hiding in the dark around the corner for two hours while we waited to be towed because I didn't want any children to see me. 

"One woman on Oldham Street spotted me and brought out a cup of coffee and a chocolate bar so I'm going to return her mug to her tonight.

"It's all about spreading a bit of happiness at Christmas so I didn't like letting the children down."

The sleigh travels around homes over 22 nights in the build-up to Christmas and last year raised £9,000 for Warrington Lions charities. 

Dad Tony added: "We don't keep a penny ourselves and it's fantastic knowing you're helping people who are worse off. 

"We rented a vehicle from Central Car Hire to get around Woolston last night but the car has now been fixed and ready to go again this evening. 

"After I put it on Facebook, there were so many offers from people who said we could use their car to tow the sleigh so it's nice to see that Christmas spirit."

Father Christmas and his sleigh will be on Carol Street in Latchford at 6pm this evening, Thursday, before heading back to Cumberland Street.