A bad Santa reportedly told grotto crowds to "get the f*** out" after ripping off his beard and leaving children in tears.

Shocked parents described how the bizarre incident began with a fire alarm being triggered before Santa began displaying "very strange behaviour", at the Corn Exchange grotto in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

The incident led parents to frantically try and explain what was wrong with Santa to their children.

One little boy was reportedly left particularly upset when Santa used the f-word.

The mum added: "My children thankfully didn't take too much notice. They asked why Santa was being horrible after they heard the crowd outside talking about it.

"My friend's little boy was upset as his dad was carrying him when Santa told them 'to get the f*** out'.

"We told our children he wasn't the real Santa. He was an impostor and will be going on the naughty list."

(Image: Getty Images)

The free Santa grotto event was billed as an opportunity for children to come and see Santa and his 'chief snowman', with each child receiving a gift.

The descent into chaos began when smoke machines from a separate family-friendly 'blow your whistle' rave event, held downstairs, triggered the fire alarm.

Around 50 children and their parents were left open mouthed when in the process of guiding families to safety, it is alleged Santa began acting 'strangely', ripping off his costume and swearing repeatedly.

The organisers, Festival Events St Ives (FESt), have since apologised.

(Image: BPM MEDIA)

A spokeswoman for FESt St Ives said: "Last Sunday during a family rave event (not a FESt event) in the Corn Exchange, St Ives, the fire alarms were activated by smoke in the Charter Hall.

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"Santa was upstairs in his grotto, an event organised by Festival Events St Ives (FESt, a voluntary organisation), and immediately assisted in the evacuation of the building.

"FESt wish to apologise for any offence or distress caused to parents and children by their attempts to ensure all visitors and staff had exited the building and were safe."