POLICE say they have been given a mandate from Santa to track down thieves who stole a 3ft nodding reindeer from a Burnley couple's Christmas display.

The party-pooping rotters have now left local children in tears at the prospect of facing Christmas without their favourite novelty garden decoration.

The reindeer, which formed the centrepiece of Alec and Kath Pomponi's annual Christmas lights display, was stolen from their Helm Close home on Sunday evening.

Six-year-old Becky Fletcher, who lives nearby, was left tearful at the theft of the festive creature, which she popped round to see up to six times a day.

Police have pledged to use a "mandate from Santa" to catch those responsible and have threatened to name and shame the crooks.

Mr Pomponi, a 43-year-old mechanic, said: "My wife chose this specially and it was the main feature of our display this year.

"It's sickening that someone would do this when everyone in the street had commented on how much they liked having it. It ruins the spirit of Christmas if all your decorations have to be bolted on.

"The reindeer had only been up three days and our two-year-old grandson hadn't even had time to see it."

Neighbour Mandy Fletcher said: "My six-year-old Becky absolutely loved that reindeer and kept going out to see it. She said she couldn't believe it was right next door. I think it's terrible that someone would do something like that, because there's no-one like that round here.

"It's a nice community and we all like to make an effort for Christmas."

Superintendent Steve Hartley said: "People might think stealing Christmas decorations is a minor crime but it's still theft and it causes a great deal of upset to those affected.

"Thieves stealing Christmas decorations and spoiling people's fun is something we won't put up with.

"Anyone caught with stolen decorations will be arrested and, following a mandate from Santa himself, named and shamed.

"If you know who stole this reindeer then give us a call. And if you're the sort of person intent on spoiling someone else's Christmas then watch out."

Crime prevention officers have recommended marking the back of decorations with permanent marker to deter would-be thieves and securing the decorations to make them harder to steal.

Burnley Police can be contacted on 01282 425001.