Isle of Man Post Office has been accused of ’playing bah humbug’ over a Santa’s postbox.

The Santa’s box has been an annual festive attraction in Castletown Square for many years.

But last Christmas, the Post Office contacted Castletown Commissioners to warn it could be confused with a genuine mailbox.

This was despite the words ’Santa’s Postbox’ being emblazoned in huge letters on the front.

Castletown MHK Jason Moorhouse became Santa’s not-so-little helper in the House of Keys last week when he raised the issue with Post Office chairman Julie Edge.

He asked how many times the Post Office had got involved with private postboxes - and if there was any evidence people were using them by mistake.

When she confirmed there was only one occasion, Mr Moorhouse said, to the bemusement of MHKs: ’Is she aware it was a Santa box?

Castletown Commissioners posted on December 8 last year: ’The Post Office are mightily concerned that Santa’s post box, which has made a seasonal appearance in the Market Square for many years, is in danger of being confused with the actual post box.

’Whilst we will ensure that any post accidentally posted is diverted into the IoM post box at the Post Office before it reaches the North Pole, please post with caution.’

Mr Moorhouse told the Keys: ’A senior member of staff was actually involved in leaving the office at the busiest time of the year to visit the offending owner.’

The Post Office chairman replied: ’I appreciate what he is saying. However, it is against the law to obstruct the Queen’s Mail.

’We are not playing bah humbug here but we are just making sure that clearly it is not a post box.’

She said the organisation involved had been advised what to do to avoid any potential confusion.

Mr Moorhouse told the Manx Independent: ’Huge numbers of children have used the box to send their messages to Santa each year.

’The Post Office were possibly concerned the brightly coloured and clearly labelled box made their slots in the window of the Co-op look inadequate.’