A LOST property office at a Hampshire police station looks more like Santa's grotto.

The room is dominated by a 3ft tall version of Father Christmas, who was found lying in the road by officers based at Hythe.

The large plastic figure proved to be an arresting sight when he was spotted near a set of crossroads at neighbouring Blackfield. A police spokesman said: "There was no sign of his reindeer, so we took him into custody and fed him mince pies."

Santa is thought to have been stolen from the front of a house or removed from a garden and then dumped in the carriageway.

Now police are hoping to reunite him with his owner in time for the big day.