SADLY, Rudolph the reindeer seems unlikely to be able to join Santa in Poole Park this year.

Last year Rudolph, along with comrade Blitzen, spent a hectic month welcoming 40,000 visitors young and old to the grotto.

After a magical railway trip around the lake, people delighted in visiting the reindeer and other animals.

But when not pulling Santa's sleigh, the pair spend their holidays at a reindeer farm in Kent.

"They are absolutely fine," said owner Chris Bullen. "But this foot and mouth and bluetongue is a problem and Defra is saying we don't want any contaminated area animals coming into non-contaminated areas.

"So at the moment I can't bring them into Dorset," he said. "But that could change and hopefully we will be able to bring them.

"It's so annoying. It may still happen. We are doing the best we can," said Chris.

However when Santa arrives on Friday there will be plenty of other cuddly and feathered friends to greet the visitors.

There will be ducks, Terry the turkey and his friends, rabbits, Dora the donkey and companions and, in place of the real things, some singing reindeer.

Youngsters will receive chocolate snowballs and chocolate reindeer droppings as well as a present from Father Christmas.

There will be a notice up explaining the situation but Chris has his own story for the children.

"I am thinking of telling them that the boys and girls of Poole were so good last year and the reindeer worked so hard, they are still reeling from all the presents they delivered," he said.