Krampus resembles an anthropomorphic, demonic goat who punishes misbehaving children. He rips out girls’ pigtails, beats children with birch branches and often carries a basket on his back so he can carry off a child of his choosing and consume them for Christmas dinner.

He rips out girls’ pigtails and beats children with birch branches

5 December is Krampusnacht – the night where men in homemade Krampus costumes charged around Alpine villages with pitchforks, demanding booze and threatening strangers.

Genuine monsters from the fires of Hell would probably have caused less destruction. These 'Krampus Runs' continue today and are a little more organised but still terrifying to witness.

Whilst many sinister Christmas characters peaked during the 15th and 16th centuries, interest in Krampus has grown over time. The 19th-century invention of Christmas cards saw an explosion of images of Krampus sent around the world.

Krampus Runs have spread to America too and, since 2013, there have been a series of Krampus-related Christmas films, presenting the character as an antidote to over-sentimental festive celebrations.