AN “inept and sullen” lookalike Father Christmas has been given the sack after making a “disastrous” appearance at Evesham’s festive lights switch-on last weekend.

The stand-in for the real and jovial Santa was supposed to be one of the main attractions at Sunday’s event but the performer, sent by Animal Enterprises, was roundly criticised by Lew Hammond, manager of Evesham Market Town Partnership.

Mr Hammond, who organised the day full of festive events, said: “Last year we booked what looked like a brilliant Father Christmas but he failed to turn up. This year he turned up but he was inept, sullen and incommunicative – indeed everything a Father Christmas should not be.

“It was a disaster. Sorry everybody. The Father Christmas has now been sacked and the fee cancelled and we have also been given an extra £50 for the poor performance.

“That’s a first, too. We haven’t had damages awarded before.”

Sarah Purdy, director of Animal Enterprises, based in Rugeley, Staffordshire, confirmed that the firm had repaid the £250 fee for the Father Christmas back to Wychavon District Council as well as an extra £50 and that the person in question had been sacked.

She said: “The reindeer were really popular but we were obviously not happy with the event as a whole.

“The person involved has since left the company and we will not be using him again.”

Mr Hammond said: “The real English market town spirit was shown with hundreds of families braving the weather. There were wonderful performances from the W Factor winners, magical reindeer and nostalgic carols, as well as a brilliant firework display. Unfortunately, Father Christmas was a disaster.”