Christmas is the season to make merry...but not for Father Christmas according to Scrooge doctors.

Children should not leave sherry for Santa Claus this Christmas Eve because he is an overweight binge-drinker at risk of mental health problems, the head of the Royal College of GPs has warned.

Jolly old St Nicholas is famed for his rotund stomach, rosy cheeks and, according to children’s poem The Night Before Christmas, keeps a pipe glued to his lips at all times.

But Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairwoman of the RCGP, said his poor diet and lifestyle had left Santa at risk of host of debilitating conditions.

It is likely, said Professor Stokes-Lampard, that Santa is suffering from alcoholism, work related stress, gout and sleep deprivation.

Don't give a sherry to Santa credit: Getty Images Europe

He may even have contracted Lyme disease from spending too much time with his reindeers, which could be infested with disease-bearing ticks. And the pressure of working night-shift will also have exacted a heavy health toll.

In fact, unless Santa gets a handle on his drinking, over-eating and lack of excercise, it could be the last year he will be dropping presents down the chimney.

"He's overweight and all of us do our bit to add to his obesity by leaving mince pies and cookies for him and milk or alcohol," said Prof Stokes-Lampard told the Press Association.

"He may have gout, he may have alcoholism - there's a real bit of binge drinking going on.

"There are also issues with sleep deprivation, work stress, his mental health.

"Lyme disease is another potential one as reindeer can carry ticks."

Leaving sherry and a mince pie will only encourage bad behaviour from Santa credit: Christine Boyd

Centuries of sherry-drinking, munching on mince pies, and gruelling night shifts will mean he could be overdue a health check, warned the doctor.

But Prof Stokes-Lampard offered advice on how Father Christmas could shed pounds by running between houses rather than taking a ride on his sleigh.

Santa should run between houses to keep fit

She added: "Although he sets a brilliant example of good behaviour and teaches the importance of giving rather than receiving, he could probably do more to encourage healthy lifestyles - something youngsters and adults alike can benefit from.

"Santa is almost certainly living with multiple morbidities which, if left untreated, can become increasingly distressing and debilitating.

"If Mr Claus was a patient at my practice, I would be encouraging him to adopt a vastly healthier diet and take more exercise in the new year.

"I'd also be keen to address his binge drinking, something which many people - perhaps even unknowingly - tend to do while celebrating Christmas."

Santa Claus from a Christmas Card in 1906 credit: Getty Images

She added: "The human body can only process one unit of alcohol per hour, which means excessive consumption could make Santa drunk very quickly.

“This not only increases the likelihood of him slipping in the snow or mixing up important presents, but could also lead to long-term issues affecting his mood and mental health.

"In the meantime, I would recommend that Santa gives the sherry a miss this year - and maybe asks Rudolph if he can share his carrots."