UK News 19-11-2002 who: Selfridges what: To abandon Santa`s grotto over abuse fears where: Oxford Street, LONDON when: This Christmas snippet: "This is the first year that we will not be having a grotto," said a spokesman for the department store. "We changed from having a grotto this year to make Santa more accessible." Lakeside Thurrock, meanwhile, will have a Santa`s grotto but with no physical contact. "We don’t allow children to sit on Santa’s lap and we always have a helper with Santa," said organiser Alison Berneye. "We do this in case people try to make up stories. We need to protect our staff just as much as people want to protect their children." [... more]

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