Police arrested three people in central London after thousands of revellers dressed as Father Christmas ran amok.

The world-wide internet flash-mob gathering SantaCon, in which strangers agree to meet dressed as Father Christmas before hitting the streets for some festive fun, has been criticised in the past for some revellers getting a little carried away and heavy drinking.

Meanwhile, some revellers in New York also got a little carried away –  with six Santas and one  elf – brawling on the streets.

In footage captured by a resident of a nearby apartment, the Santas slide across the snowy, slushy streets, throwing punches at one another.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) stationed 80 ‘helper elves’ along the course of the event.

A spokesman said there were no arrests associated with this year’s SantaCon.

Elsewhere the festive party also invaded the streets of San Francisco – where the event originally started in the early ninties.

Meanwhile, hundreds of party goers took to the street of Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday.

SantaCon was originally called Santarchy and first took place in San Francisco in 1994.

It now spans events in more than 300 cities and 44 countries worldwide.

Santas taking part are encouraged to sing, hand out presents even have strangers sit on their lap.

Meanwhile in Bridgend… Over 1,300 turn out to beat Elf record.

A new record has been set for the largest gathering of elves in Bridgend, South Wales.

They succeeded in breaking the previous record of 1,200 elves set this time last year with a total of 1,312 participants.

Bridgend took the record from New York two years ago and has remained champion ever since.

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