WHEN Santa's reindeer took a much needed rest there was only one other form of transport the great man would accept for a scheduled trip to a North-East town - a British Army tank.

But, in the end, even the wishes of Santa had to take second place at the Bishop Auckland Christmas lights switch-on this week.

One of the highlights was to have been the arrival of Santa on an Army tank at Asda's grotto, in Newgate shopping precinct.

However, plans had to be switched at the last minute when it was revealed the tank had a more pressing engagement - on stand-by for the Afghanistan conflict. The supermarket's events co-ordinator, Helen Stott, who is also an air cadet instructor, came up with the novel idea to borrow the tank.

"The regimental sergeant major rang up and apologised and said the tanks were on stand-by because of the Afghanistan conflict, otherwise the tank would definitely be here. It was coming from Catterick."

Nevertheless, the event went with a bang and the town turned out in force to see a candlelight procession by local schoolchildren, a carol service, and a festive farmers' market.

All proceeds went to the Butterwick Hospice.