Father Christmases

Australian health researcher Dr Vincent Candrawinata has sparked public fury as he called for ''all fat Santa Claus'' to be banned as overweight Father Christmases set a bad example and promotes binge eating.

Pens at the ready, a dozen trainee Father Christmases are getting their final instructions before heading out to Britain's department stores, tourist landmarks and private parties for the festive season. Here's everything the would-be Santas prepare for, including the dreaded question: "Are you the real Father Christmas?"

Christmas -- once banned in China -- has exploded in the atheist nation in recent years, with marketeers using everything from saxophones and Smurfs to steam trains to get shoppers to open their wallets.

Australian health researcher Dr Vincent Candrawinata has sparked public fury as he called for ''all fat Santa Claus'' to be banned as overweight Father Christmases set a bad example and promotes binge eating.

Pens at the ready, a dozen trainee Father Christmases are getting their final instructions before heading out to Britain's department stores, tourist landmarks and private parties for the festive season. Here's everything the would-be Santas prepare for, including the dreaded question: "Are you the real Father Christmas?"

Christmas -- once banned in China -- has exploded in the atheist nation in recent years, with marketeers using everything from saxophones and Smurfs to steam trains to get shoppers to open their wallets.