PEOPLE who have failed to turn up at court for trial or sentence are being sent an unfestive message by North Yorkshire Police.

The force is sending out more than 200 Christmas cards bearing a variety of snowmen and Santas.

As well as season's greetings, the cards also warn recipients that officers will come and arrest them if they do not come in voluntarily, pointing out that they could spend Christmas in jail.

The front of the card bears the message: "Santa is busy with ensuring he delivers to everyone on his list, so are we."

Inside it says: "Wishing you all the very best for Christmas and hoping that we can find time for you to join us."

It goes on to warn that they might be arrested at any time and at any place, and could face being held in prison until their court date.

Superintendent Colin Taylor, head of the force's administration of justice department, said: "We are firing the starting pistol for a straight race - absconders can make their way to their local police station to surrender at a convenient time for them, or we can go and knock on their door at a time to suit us.

"We will be working our way through over 200 people, so it is hard to estimate exactly when we will come knocking. It would certainly be a shame if we arrested someone in front of his family and neighbours.

"It would be even more of a shame if that person missed Christmas through being held in custody awaiting his court appearance."

The cards and planned swoops are part of a national campaign called Operation Turn Up. North Yorkshire Police is working with the Crown Prosecution Service and courts across the county.

Supt Taylor said North Yorkshire had one of the lowest numbers of people not answering their bail in the country, due in part to Operation Delivery, the force's ongoing campaign which has seen the arrest of hundreds of criminals and wanted individuals.

Last year, the force sent out cards to people wanted in connection with crimes, telling them to get in touch with the police.