A SHOPPING CENTRE  in Maine in the US has sacked Santa Claus after children and parents complained he was rude, grumpy and wouldn’t even let one child sit on his lap.

Officials at the Maine Mall in South Portland say they’re looking for a jollier Santa and hoped to have him in place at some stage today.

Jessica Mailhiot and her 6-year-old daughter, Chantel, went to see Santa this week. They told WGME-TV he was rude and wouldn’t let the girl sit on his lap when they said they didn’t want to buy a $20 photo.

Chantel says when she asked Santa for an American Girl doll, he replied she’d get an “American football.”

When the mother posted her story online, others shared similar experiences:

The Maine Mall  replied to customer complaints, saying:

Thank you to those who have so voiced concerns regarding our Santa photography policy. Visiting Santa at The Maine Mall is free – photo purchases are NOT required and we have been reacting to customer complaints by taking some pretty serious steps already, the results of which you will see within the upcoming days.

The TV station contacted the Santa, but he didn’t want to comment. Probably on his way back to the North Pole for a telling off.

Humbug.

- Additional reporting by Emer McLysaght

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