Dad angry when Santa doesn’t give daughter present after paying £42

A dad was left angry when a Santa he paid £42 to meet did not give his daughter a Christmas present.

Joe Skarz’ daughter Millie, six, was disappointed when she left the festive day at The Piece Hall in Halifax empty-handed.

He had taken her to the event a year after it was cancelled due to COVID but said not receiving a gift "ruined the magic of Christmas".

Skarz, who was also there with his fiance Leoni Jackson, told Yorkshire Live: "As parents, these moments are the ones you cherish for the rest of your life, seeing your little daughter with a present from Santa.

"To not have that opportunity was so disappointing, we felt really ripped off by the price.

"After last year, it just makes it even more frustrating."

Read more: Warning after two die from 'fake' anti-epileptic medication and sleeping pills

Read more: Police sergeant among 10 officers found at illegal lockdown party

Skarz, from Huddersfield, claimed the event wasn’t even Christmas themed and they were made to walk around with other families in freezing weather making “choo-choo” noises and pretending to be trains.

The Sheffield United football coach added they had to wait 30 minutes to get into Santa’s cabin but were shocked when their guide announced children wouldn’t be getting presents.

The youngsters then apparently had just two minutes to tell Father Christmas what they wanted this year.

The event, which was billed as “a magical journey of storytelling and festive imagination", was cancelled immediately when other parents also complained.

A spokesperson for The Pierce Hall said a statement: "We have listened to your feedback on the ‘Father Christmas comes to The Piece Hall’ event delivered by Sneaky Experience and we have regretfully decided to cancel the event with immediate effect.

"Those who have bought tickets for future bookings will be entitled to a full refund.

"We apologise that this performance has not met the expectations of some of our customers.

"We value your feedback and will always take it on board to help us develop improved experiences."

Watch: Santa School returns to bring festive cheers