THE strength and depth of feeling provoked by news that a decades-long annual Christmas tradition could end may have surprised many, writes Andrew White.

But to anyone, like me, who grew up in Newton Aycliffe, the reaction was entirely expected.

Every Christmas Eve for as long as most can remember, Santa Claus tours the town in his van stopping at every street to talk to excited children.

After scanning the Newton News for Santa’s schedule, youngsters getting ready for bed wait eagerly at front doors and in the streets to listen out the bell, ringing to signal his arrival.

It’s a festive ritual for kids and kids at heart and is part of what it means to grow up in Newton Aycliffe.

So when it emerged that Great Aycliffe Town Council are considering making changes to the time-honoured routine due to potential health and safety implications, it drew an understandably angry response on social media.

The council does have a duty to comply with the law – but members must also heed the views of those who elected them.

Councillors insist that the Santa tours will not be scrapped. But they must surely do everything they can to ensure they continue as close to their present form as possible.

There may be many things wrong with the town, but Newtonians are proud of their history and traditions – and childhood memories are shared regularly on Facebook.

Sadly, much of that history has now gone. Let’s hope everyone pulls together to make sure the Santa tours endure for generations to come.