THIEVES have ruined Christmas for little Jake Neighbour.

For they have stolen his pride and joy an eight foot Santa.

The illuminated inflatable Santa was the crowning glory of the Neighbour family's festive display and was bought as an early Christmas present for the three year-old.

Mum Rachel said: "Jake just says 'a nasty man has stolen my Father Christmas. Whoever has stolen it is not going to get anything from Father Christ-mas.'

"He keeps asking when is it going to come back."

The unusual over-sized Santa was brought over from Canada by Jake's Uncle Barry who serves in the RAF.

It is not available in the UK and only runs with the aid of an adaptor set to convert mains power from 120 volts to the UK rating of 240 volts.

The Jemmy Eight Feet Inflatable Santa stays upright thanks to an electric fan and also contains five coloured lights.

Mrs Neighbour said: "It's no use to whoever has taken it without the adaptor so they might as well just give it back. It would make Jake's Christmas if they brought it back."

The Santa cost 150 US dollars ( about £100) and was part of the Neighbour's usual colourful festive display outside their Olive Grove home.

They have now taken down their decorations for fear that they too could be stolen.

Father Christmas disappeared from outside the Neighbour's house some time between 8pm and 9.45pm on Friday.

The family had just gone out for the evening and the absence of their distinctive decoration was noted by an observant neighbour.

Anyone with information about Santa's wherabouts should contact Swindon Police on 528111.