Morning:
9°c
With a single dessert and just two glasses of wine our bill was kept in check - but the effort of doing so was not much fun
EXCLUSIVE: David Cameron reveals his faith in God, his fear of failure and his dread that another of his children could die
More...
Santa told to slim down for Christmas to 'set a good example'
Last updated at 16:37pm on 05.11.07Santa is being told to shift the pounds before Christmas - because the obese saint is failing to set a "good example" for children.
The traditional children's hero, best known for feasting on mince pies left out on Christmas eve, has always sported a bulging midriff.
But shopping centre bosses are giving the well-wisher his marching orders - to the nearest gym - to tackle the increasing problem of obesity.
The revelation comes after a medical report earlier this month stated that by 2050 more than 50 per cent of Brits will be obese.
Santa has been told he must slim down, or face eviction from shopping centres at Christmas
Bluewater shopping centre in Greenhithe, Kent, has even gone one step further and set-up a Santa boot camp.
Fiona Campbell-Reilly, spokeswoman at the shopping centre, said: "Santa has been around for years, but society has changed and our Santa needs to reflect this.
"Bluewater's Santa Boot Camp is getting Santa in shape and setting a good example to children who idolise him.
"He will still be the same lovable jolly man, but will be fitter and healthier."
Despite Santa burning 600 calories an hour from delivering presents, the problem lies in the tasty mince pies left as a treat.
Boot camp: Santa does cardio
If he ate every single mince pie left for him by eager children in the UK he would gain an astonishing 721,000 lbs.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, spokesperson from the British Heart Foundation, said: "The bootcamp would encourage people to get a bit more active - it is a great idea.
"If you are budding santa or a hopeful elf, then we should all be taking steps to being fit and healthier at Christmas.
"Half an hour of exercise, three days a week could make your heart healthier. I think that like most of us, santa could be doing more to make himself that little bit fitter.
"He can have a pie every so often but try to squeeze in a few carrots as well."
Reader views (20)
Someone has got way too much time on their hands to even have to consider this utterly stupid idea. What part of lovable mythical character does someone not understand? Santa would not be Santa if he were built like Twiggy. I like him just like he is, leave him alone and get a life with real problem to worry about.
- Carl, Winona, TX, USA
Leave Santa the way he is. How can he make a jolly laugh when he is starving to death? He needs all of those calories so he can make the speedy world wide trips to every house. Sorry carrots and lettuce we need to leave for the deer. Set Santa his usual cookies and milk so he might be able to see all the children in the world, not just the ones in his back yard.
- Kathy, Orrum, North Carolina, USA
This is the dumbest thing ... ever! I'm all for being fit and healthy but this is just plain stupid! Excuse me! You know if you want to be an example to your children ... how about not lying to them!
- Julia, Louisville, KY, USA
Just when you think you've heard it all. How dumb is this. I guess Twas the Night Before Christmas will have to be shelved since Santa will no longer have that belly that shakes like jelly. I see overweight firemen, policemen and politicians every day. I thought they were supposed to be real role models. These people have way too much time on their hands. I say leave Santa alone. He is fine the way he is and has been for a long time. I wouldn't shop at their mall and I sure wouldn't take my children to see an undernourished Santa.
- Sandy, Quincy, USA
This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. The only reason there are fat kids in this world is because they have stupid parents! It is the parents that stuff their little mouths full of fast food calling it dinner. It is the parents that allow them to eat junk food all day long in front of the TV. When will the parents take responsibility for their own offspring.
- Denny S., Akron, Ohio USA
Never have so few ruined so much for so many.
- Peter, Somewhere, USA
I guess nowadays you're not allowed to be overweight even if you're ficticious. What will we be asking our children to leave out for Santa? Tofu maybe?
This is beyond absurd.
- Trish, Lauderdale by the Sea, FL
You have got to be kidding me...just another attack on Christmas. These people have to find something better to do with their lives.
- Derek B., Pennsylvania, USA
The age of being politically correct is now over. This is absolutely stupid! The only reason there are fat kids running around this world is because they have irresponsible stupid parents. Last time I looked most kids don't make their own food...their parents are usually the ones stuffing their faces with junk food and picking up fast food and calling it dinner. When are people going to start taking responsibility for their own actions again.
- Denny S., Akron, Ohio USA
I have never heard of anything so ridiculous. Leave Santa the way he is
supposed to be!
- Louise N, Rutherford, Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
Initially I was shocked to read about the rise in childhood obesity in England. I thought it was only a problem in the U.S. Now I realise... Santa travels, doesn't he?
- Justin Kearns, Mission Viejo, USA
This is as stupid as stupid gets.
- Pat Pirillo, Mansfield, Texas, US
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Get a life!
- Greg, Marion, USA
Perish the thought that parents are to provide guidance, and be "good examples." After all, what duties do parents have other than squirt out the little carpet crawlers and give them anything they want?
Let's all be Politically Correct two-legged sheep, following the mandates of the talking heads on the telly.
- Jubal Harshaw, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
Duh!
Give him chocolate chip cookies instead when made without real butter, less calories...
It's sad that someone who shows children about giving without expectations is now ridiculed as "not fitting" in to someone else's expectations. Guess whoever got this idea must have got rock or coal a few too many years, as they didn't get that whole point of giving and accepting...
- Dw, California, USA
What child has ever wanted to look like Santa when they grew up? Leave Santa alone before he goes Medieval on you!
- James, Dayton, USA
Let's hope this is as far as it goes.
- Jack, USA
This is utterly stupid and ridiculous!
- Paula, Washington, DC, USA
Now I have heard just about everything. Santa is now being attacked. What kind of sick society is this.
Must you bring all the good things down. Shame on you purists or whatever you are. Leave Santa alone. Do you really think that any child even considers Santa's weight?
- Ruth D., USA
Before you know it, they'll be neutering the Easter Bunny!
- Eddie Pittman, Florida, USA
