A HAMPSHIRE pensioner is in line for a £30,000 compensation payout after a bizarre accident in Santa’s grotto.

Joan Dufosse slipped on a Christmas bauble and broke her leg when she took her grandchildren to see Father Christmas at a world famous London department store.

Two years later she has still not fully recovered.

Now top judges have ruled she should be paid damages because grotto organisers breached health and safety rules.

They say Santa and his elves should have spotted the stray decoration and removed it before it caused the accident.

Read this weekend's Daily Echo for the full story