AS CHRISTMAS messages go, "the clutch has gone" isn't what you'd expect Santa to be saying.

But after having a little car trouble Father Christmas was forced to apologise to amused Warrington residents as he travelled past their houses.

Jennie Williams posted the clip on Facebook earlier this week of Father Christmas waving to families along Cumberland Street in Latchford on Tuesday night.

After passing a few houses he can be heard apologising for not stopping.

He added: "Merry Christmas everyone. I've got a problem with the car. The clutch has gone."

Jennie posted the footage on Tuesday night and it has has now been watched by more than 119,000 people.

After the video was put online the big man himself confirmed that he would be returning to the street because he didn't want to let any children down.

Tony Gandy, who has been playing Father Christmas for 30 years and visiting homes on his sleigh for the past 10 years, said he had been touched by the number of offers of help.

He added: "We have got the best Christmas sleigh in Great Britain with moving reindeers and music playing so everybody normally wants to come out and get a picture.

"But all of a sudden the clutch went on the Renault towing the sleigh so we could get it into gear but couldn't stop so we had to keep going.

"I was hiding in the dark around the corner for two hours while we waited to be towed because I didn't want any children to see me.

"One woman on Oldham Street spotted me and brought out a cup of coffee and a chocolate bar so I'm going to return her mug to her tonight.

"It's all about spreading a bit of happiness at Christmas so I didn't like letting the children down."

The sleigh travels around homes over 22 nights in the build-up to Christmas and last year raised £9,000 for Warrington Lions charities.