A FATHER Christmas was fitted with a panic alarm after being pelted with eggs while he was collecting money for a hospice.
The charity Santa was targeted by youths twice as he toured the streets on a fairy-lit sleigh as part of a Christmas parade. Thousands of children who turned out to see him in Wallasey, Wirral, were reduced to tears by the two attacks.
Now security has been stepped up around the Santa, who will carry out his final parade today.
The attacks happened on two occasions during the parade, which has toured different streets for the past few weeks.
Former Mayor Ken Jackson, who is also a magistrate, said: "These despicable and heartless yobs set out to ruin the Christmas spirit of the parade.
"I was hit on the side of the head and face and could easily have been blinded.
"As soon as they threw the eggs they ran off with no thought of the upset they had caused to all the children watching the parade. "The kids were in fits of tears. They were all caught up in the magic of the moment when it was all suddenly destroyed by these mindless idiots and cowards."
The float was organised by Wallasey Lions community club. Chairman Ken Hurst said the annual event had raised £6,000 for the St John's Children's hospice and the sea cadets.
Mr Hurst added: "We will carry on with this parade for the children's sake and for the charities."
