Germany 'running out of Santas'

There is a lack of qualified Father Christmas impersonators in Germany this year, it has been claimed.

Department stores, private parties and Christmas markets across the country are reportedly struggling to find experienced Santas who are child-friendly, reliable and do not have a criminal record.

"Being Santa is not an easy job. To be honest, not many people have what it takes to be a good Father Christmas," Jens Wittenberger from Jobcafe Munich told Reuters.

He added that Germans are not hiring Santa impersonators partly because of the global credit crunch.

"People are turning to traditions to protect their children from the 'evils of the real world', especially in the wake of this financial turmoil," he said.