CHILDREN could be deprived of visits from Santa after his loyal helper quit, blaming old age and “chock-a-block” housing estates.

John Prior, 77 – aka Rudolph – has been towing Abingdon’s Santa sleigh around housing estates every Christmas for the past 20 years.

The Shippon resident is treasurer of the Abingdon Lions Club, which organises the town’s sleigh tour.

He said: “I’m the only one with a tow bar and I’m getting on a bit. I think I’ve done my bit. I will be sad to see it go but I’m just getting too old for this.

“The other reason is that the housing estates are a whole load of cul-de-sacs, they didn’t anticipate the number of cars people keep buying. Those are getting chock-a-block.

“People are imprisoning themselves between a wall of cars, it becomes extremely difficult to turn the sleigh around. The housing estates are becoming choked with cars more and more every year.”

Every December Mr Shippon hooks Santa’s sleigh – a red carriage adorned with tinsel – onto the back of his car and drives it to houses in Abingdon.

Excitable children run from their homes to meet Santa, who sits on the sleigh, with the 10-night tour amalgamating at Abingdon’s Christmas Extravaganza.

Mr Shippon said: “Children queue up to see Santa. It’s very popular, parents bring their little children along.”

Paul Townsend, president of Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, organises the Christmas Extravaganza.

He said: “It’s become a tradition through December, families enjoy them travelling round the estates. It would be a real shame if it stopped.”

Abingdon Lions Club, which fundraises for local organisations, raised £3,250 during last year’s sleigh tour.

Abingdon Sea Cadets, Abingdon Guides, The Alzheimers Society, Home Farm Trust, Oasis Charity and Radley Guides will share the cash.

* If you can help salvage the sleigh tour head to abingdonlions.org