Anti-incinerator protesters arranged for Santa to visit Sutton Council and deliver some presents with a difference.

Campaigners against plans to build an energy recovery facility (ERF) in Beddington Lane staged a protest by attending a meeting of the council's development control committee on Wednesday dressed as Santa and leaving 'presents' under the tree.

Members of Stop the Incinerator wanted to stage the protest in the meeting room but were prevented from entering by security guards.

Plain clothes police officers were also at the meeting in case of any protest.

During the protest campaigner Dave Pettener dressed as Santa and arrived at the council's offices with a bag of presents.

He said Sutton Council was on his naughty list for granting planning permission for waste management firm Viridor to build the facility.

He then left presents referencing the group's concerns over the incinerator - including cancer, birth defects and air pollution - under the tree.