Organisers are hoping to use ponies instead of reindeers

 

Reindeer have been cancelled from a major Christmas festival because of bluetongue disease restrictions.

 

The animals have been banned from heading the festive parade in Beverley, near Hull, after the disease protection zone was extended to the East Riding.

 

Organisers said the reindeers were used to pull Santa's sleigh through the town centre and attracted lots of children.

 

They said they were "extremely disappointed" but were hoping to use Shetland ponies instead.

 

Councillor John Bird said: "It is very sad, particularly for the children who absolutely love to come and see the reindeers."

 

Highlight of parade

 

Organisers said the festival, on 9 December, pulled in more than 40,000 people last year and the Santa's parade was always the highlight of the day, especially for youngsters.

 

"Unfortunately it was out of our control, our hands are tied with the restrictions," he said.

 

"There's no problem with the reindeer coming to Beverley, but then they wouldn't be allowed to leave and go back to their base in Scotland."

 

The reindeer, which come from the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre in Glenmore, near Aviemore, were first introduced in 2000 to Beverley's Festival of Christmas, which was started by volunteers 13 years ago.

 

Mr Bird said he had been notified by the centre that the reindeer would not be able to attend because of the current bluetongue restrictions.

 

Appeal for ponies

 

He said: "The only thing we can hope for is that there will be no more cases of bluetongue and the movement restriction will be lifted before the festival is held. But even then it could be too late in the day for us to rearrange plans."

 

Organisers are now looking to use Shetland ponies from the East Riding area to replace the reindeer.

 

Mr Bird said: "Santa still needs to be pulled along on his sleigh and we don't want to disappoint the children. So hopefully someone will be able to come forward and help Santa with some Shetland ponies.".

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/7052737.stm

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