'Council binmen took our Xmas reindeer hostage'

A BUSINESS owner says he is prepared to enter into “reindeer hostage talks” after wooden animals intended for young children were removed from Manchester streets.

- By RAMAZANI MWAMBA

Staff from shoemakers LANX spent the early hours of Saturday morning leaving out miniature Christmas reindeer around the city for charity.

It is part of an annual campaign by the company to raise awareness and money for Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

They hope members of the public will find the carved animals, take them home and take pictures to raise awareness for the cause.

However, LANX staff watched in amazement as they saw the reindeer stuffed into a waste removal truck by what they believe to be council staff.