ADULTS with learning difficulties were moved to tears when they received a surprise visit from Santa at the Periwinkle Pub.

Santa was banned from visiting their Wombwell Bondfield centre this year as it was not 'age ppropriate' — even though many of the users have a much younger mental age and still believe in him.

Landlady, Tracey Schofield, said she organised the surprise because she was disgusted at the injustice.

She said: "I thought what they did was wrong, I had really strong feelings about it and because there was no management telling me that Santa couldn't visit my premises I organised it all for them.

"I didn't want to get anyone into trouble and even though I knew staff and parents at the centre were furious about the decision I didn't want to involve them.

"It was worth it though, when Santa arrived they were absolutely thrilled, you just couldn't control their excitement.

"Obviously they had been told that they wouldn't be seeing him this year so their faces lit up when he walked in; one lady broke down in tears of delight when she went to get her present. That got everyone going, even me."

A staff member, who did not wished to be named, said: "The atmosphere at the centre is fantastic now, everyone keeps coming up to me telling me they have put Santa's present under the tree.

Santa said: "The reaction was absolutely marvellous, it proves that what happened was wrong and the service users did want to see me.

"I asked if they would like to see me again next year and they all shouted 'yes', so I hope we don't have the same ridiculous problem next year."