Police have dismissed any suggestions of wrongdoing by the organisers of Hadleigh's popular Santa Sleigh initiative following a complaint by a town resident.

Hadleigh Food Bank Charity used a horse-drawn Santa sleigh to hand out presents to hundreds of children around the town on December 22, when Suffolk was in tier 2, but were reported before the event started over alleged breaches of the Covid-19 restrictions

Babergh's environmental health team confirmed a complaint had been received and they spoke with organisers before passing on the information to Suffolk police to investigate as a matter of course, who found no need to take any further action.

A spokesperson for Babergh District Council said: "Our council has not been delegated with the legal powers, or responsibility, to approve or prohibit events, such as this, from taking place during the pandemic.

"However, we did advise the event organisers (who retain the legal responsibility for ensuring a safe event) that we didn't feel it was appropriate for them to proceed on the basis of the information we had received. We also notified the police of their intent, to allow them to investigate if this breached Covid regulations and subsequently take enforcement action if deemed necessary."

Suffolk police confirmed they had been contacted but found no issues with the event. Officers were seen in police cars at different points of the route as eleven handed out presents.

A Suffolk police spokesperson said: "We're not aware of any issues regarding this event. We are usually made aware of community events in general though."

Organisers decided to go ahead with the event after charity trustee put together a feasibility study and ensuring:

• All gifts were wrapped and bagged with a minimum of 3 days before the event (72 hours)
• The Sleigh was fully sanitised prior to loading of presents
• Key volunteers had COVID tests prior to the event, this included volunteers on the Sleigh
• Face coverings were worn by all volunteers in line with Government Guidelines
• All volunteers observed social distancing requirements
• Volunteer were assigned into 'bubbles'
• There was no interaction between each of the volunteer 'bubbles'
• Instructions to public on adherence to Government guidelines were part of the Hadleigh Foodbank Social media Sleigh route plan.
• COVID 19 PPE was provided by Hadleigh Foodbank Charity to all volunteers and members of the public as required, this included facemasks, gloves and hand sanitiser
• Two volunteers were assigned to go ahead of the sleigh with PPE to distribute, as required, and to advise and remind people of the government guidelines

Paul Shipperlee, Hadleigh Foodbank Charity secretary, said: "The entire country has seen at first-hand the significant impact caused to so many people during this coronavirus pandemic, which has led to increased poverty, domestic violence and mental health issues. The sleigh, brought many testimonials of thanks to this charity and its donators.

"It is, and will continue to be the aim of the Hadleigh Foodbank Charity to continue to offer excellent support to those in need within our local community."

Following an initial conversation with councillor Kathryn Grandon back in September, the charity was given permission by the district council to use the car park close to the Hadleigh Health centre, to safely harness the two white horses, and the organisers could gather and start to lad up presents in a Covid safe manner, before the event started.

Mrs Grandon, talking with Nub News in a personal capacity, said: "While some time ago I did arrange with Babergh officers to allow the sleigh to park at the Market Place car park, I did not have any other involvement with the organisation of this event.

"I had forgotten about the event, but on the Santa Sleigh evening I heard lots of noise and excitement outside my house and looked out to see the spectacle of a Santa Sleigh pulled by beautiful white horses and Santa's Elves giving out presents to thrilled children.

"Personally, I thought it appeared to be a very well organised outdoor event, and the aspect I saw outside my home seemed to be taking the Covid precautions needed for such an event outside. A neighbour attended with her daughter and really enjoyed it.

"Apparently, many of the children and parents attending were those she mixes with at school. Personally, I felt it was lovely to watch a short well-controlled but joyous Christmas event in our town and a small escape from some of the miserable news that we all hear."

Mr Shipperlee added on behalf of the Hadleigh Foodbank Charity: "Every week we provide up to 100 households with food, support towards bills, electrical equipment including but not limited to cookers, microwaves and overs as well as being able to offer electronics borrowing for mobile phones, laptops and tablets to isolating people, job seekers, students and those who are unable to afford these types of devices for key day to day activities.

"We also offer activities for the families we support including bike borrowing to ensure the health and wellbeing of the households we support, this scheme has been backed by the National Lottery.

"We at the Hadleigh Foodbank Charity pride ourselves in the service we provide to the local community and offer the local community much more than just a foodbank."