AN urgent Christmas appeal is being sounded – for help pulling Santa's sleigh.

No, the reindeer have not gone on strike. But one of the city's long-running festive traditions could be at risk if more volunteers to help pull Father Christmas' sleigh around the streets cannot be found.

Worcester Lions Club is in the final stages of organising the routes for its annual Christmas sleigh, which sees Santa touring the streets of Worcester greeting children in the run-up to Christmas.

Members are hoping to send out the sleigh on evenings from Thursday, December 1 until Thursday, December 22, so that as many youngsters as possible get to see Father Christmas.

But that may not be possible unless more volunteer drivers can be found.

Geoff Lewis, of Worcester Lions, said: "We are making an urgent appeal for additional drivers with a suitable vehicle who would be willing to give their time to help tow the sleigh during one or more of the evenings through this period.

"The commitment would be to collect the trailer-Sleigh from its storage point and get it to the route starting point in time for that evening’s tour."

Drivers need to hold a clean, current full driving licence and have insurance cover for both their vehicle and a towed trailer.

Tours will be starting at 6pm between Monday and Friday and 4.45pm at weekends.

The driver would then tow the sleigh round the given route, returning it to the route start point and then on to the original pick up location on completion - around 8.30pm on weekdays and 7.45pm at weekends.

Each year, bucket collectors accompany the sleigh on its tours around the city.

The money raised will fund the grant scheme that Worcester Lions Club runs in partnership with the Worcester News, as well as any other appeals for help that the club may receive.

Previous grants schemes have seen £1,500 given twice yearly to local good causes, each receiving up to £300.

Organisations that have benefitted include Survivors Worcester, a drop-in centre that supports adults with mental health difficulties and the Grandee Club, a club for over-55s that meets in Worcester twice a month.

The Friends of Fort Royal School also received a grant towards the purchase of mirrors to show pupils who need wheelchairs what they look like when they are upright.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to pull Santa's sleigh for the Lions should call Gordon Templeton on 01905 749025 or email gordtemp@btinternet.com.