'Christmas is saved'

...AND SO IS THIS ESCAPED REINDEER WHO SPARKED MAJOR SEARCH BY POLICE, LIFEBOAT, COASTGUARD AND EVEN ROYAL MARINES BEFORE SAFE RECAPTURE

- By ALEX HICKEY and GEORGIA BATES

Main and inset, the escaped reindeer who fled a festive celebration before being returned to its owners in North Wales.

(Southport Offshore Rescue Trust/PA Wire)

ARMED police, Royal Marines and the Coastguard have helped "save Christmas" after a reindeer from North Wales went on the run in a seaside town.

The reindeer escaped from a festive celebration in the coastal town of Formby, Merseyside, during the early afternoon on Saturday, prompting a massive search operation.

The animal was ultimately found on a beach, where it was spotted using thermal binocu lars, before being returned to its owners, believed to be from North Wales.