Reindeer dashes from Christmas parade to charge through town

Reindeer dashes from Christmas parade to charge through town Molly Lee Molly Lee Published November 30, 2025 5:20pm Updated November 30, 2025 5:25pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Run Rudolph Run: a runaway reindeer was in a rush to Formby Beach (Picture: Facebook/HM Coastguard Crosby)

A runaway reindeer wreaked festive chaos after it dashed away from a local Christmas parade.

Southport Offshore Rescue Trust was called out at 4.43pm last night, after the festive fugitive had been missing for several hours last seen headingnorth to the sand dunes of Formby Beach, Liverpool.

A resident who saw it told Sefton Bubble: ‘We thought it was a stag at first, but then a National Trust ranger asked if we’d seen a real reindeer!

‘We pointed them in the direction it went – literally trotting north up the beach.

‘Then the police arrived. They’re really worried about it getting onto the road.’

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Christmas has been saved as the reindeer was recovered (Picture: Facebook/Southport Offshore Rescue Trust)

Merseyside Police were tracking the reindeer across the dunes, but eventually lost sight of the animal as darkness fell.

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The Southport Offshore Rescue Trust used thermal binoculars to locate the pesky reindeer on the sand of Formby Beach.

Police drones watched overhead as the animal was herded into the dunes at Altcar Rifle Range.

Once the reindeer was settled, a vet supported by the Royal Marines securely recovered the animal.

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