Santas meet for annual ho-ho-ho-down

More than 100 Santa Clauses and their little helpers danced, bellowed ho-ho-hos and raced up a rapidly melting hill made of snow at the annual World Santa Claus Congress.

Despite a sprinkle of rain and trees in full Nordic summer bloom, the Papa Noels, St Nicks and Sinter Klaases from 10 countries were in a yuletide spirit yesterday as they kicked off a three-day convention in Denmark, including a Santa parade and a chimney-climbing competition.