Photo: Tom KitchinAbby Washington (23) holds on tight to Santa after he tried to start his Christmas flight early in Alexandra this week. When Monday's strong winds ripped Santa asunder from his possie on Miss Washington's front doorstep, the family thought that was probably that. A call-out over social media for any sightings and a search of the neighbourhood initially turned up no sign of the 1m-high rotund red man, until a Juniper Close neighbour arrived with him a few hours later and plonked him back on the doorstep. ''We're welcoming back Santa after a near escape,'' Miss Washington said. ''The kids next door joked that Christmas had come early.''

Source: Otago Daily Times December 20, 2017 16:52 UTC