Santa Claus has been ordered to stay away from a Winchester school.

Donald Goodenough had dressed up as Father Christmas and positioned himself close to a crossing patrol in Kings Avenue - so the children could see him on their way to Stanmore Primary School.

But a number of parents contacted the school, the police were informed and Mr Goodenough was warned to stay away.

"I am absolutely devastated," said the 66-year-old, of Drummond Close, Stanmore, who had been a pupil at the school himself.

"I am a single man but I love children and I love Christmas and I think it's a sad world when I can't dress up as Father Christmas without being stopped by the police," he said.

"I do understand the point of view of the school and of the police - but I think it's a shame.

"The school sends children across with packages for the old people in Drummond Close at Harvest Festival and I just wanted to return the compliment."

Explaining that the school had a duty to protect its pupils, headteacher, Michael Hughes, said they had to contact the police when "Santa" turned up unannounced.

"Father Christmas visits us every year for the Christmas fair and the children's parties. However, this visit caused concern because the gentleman did not contact us first and we didn't know who he was."

Officers visited Mr Goodenough and were satisfied he had not meant any harm - but he was asked to stay away from the Stanmore Lane school.

Inspector Chris May said: "As far as we are aware, he was doing it to cheer the children but, sad as it may be, in this day and age, that is not something that is acceptable.

"Because of recent publicity, people think the worst and although we are satisfied there was nothing sinister about his actions, unfortunately, it had the opposite effect."

l Two Hampshire infant schools have banned videoing of nativity plays. They are Shakespeare School, Eastleigh, and Cupernham School, Romsey.

Shakespeare head, Jane Skinner, said the decision had been taken "in the interests of the security of pupils".

A spokesman said the county council had no objection to the videoing of school plays by parents, providing it was for their own personal use - but it was leaving the matter to individual schools.