Armed police, Royal Marines, and the coastguard have helped 'save Christmas' after a reindeer went on the run in the seaside town of Formby, Merseyside. The animal fled a festive celebration early on Saturday afternoon, sparking a major search operation.
The reindeer was eventually located on a beach using thermal binoculars by the Southport Offshore Rescue Trust, also known as Southport Lifeboat. The team used quad bikes to shepherd the animal into sand dunes, where a police drone monitored it until it lay down to rest.
A vet travelled from Salisbury, Wiltshire, with sedatives, and the Royal Marines, who were on exercise at a nearby firing range, assisted in sedating the animal at around 1.20am on Sunday. The reindeer was then returned to its owners in Wales.
A spokesperson for Southport Lifeboat described the evening as 'bizarre' but noted that all agencies were happy to help. 'Christmas is saved thanks to some great work from multiple agencies,' they said.
