A driver towing Father Christmas after a country Christmas pageant has been fined $300 for having Santa as an unsecured load.

The ute and its cargo, a sleigh complete with Father Christmas, was making its way back through the streets of Morgan after the pageant when they were stopped by a police officer from Waikerie.

Father Christmas had finished handing out more than 200 bags of lollies to children and spectators of the pageant when he jumped back on his float at 8.30pm.

The streets of Morgan had been closed until 8pm because of the pageant but were reopened before Santa made his fateful journey.

media_camera Father Christmas during the Morgan Christmas Pageant. His driver was fined $300 for towing an unsecured load.

A police officer stationed in front of the Morgan Police Station was fining a motorbike rider and his passenger, who were also involved in the pageant, for not wearing helmets when Santa in his sleigh came up Eighth St.

Father Christmas was standing in the float when spotted by police.

President of the local chapter of the Lions Club, Ernie Asplin, said the incident had cast a shadow over an otherwise successful event.

“Who would book Father Christmas for Christ’s sake?” Mr Asplin said.

“I know Father Christmas took down the officer’s number so he won’t be getting any presents this year.

“This is really a sad state of affairs and it leaves a pretty bitter taste for the rest of the event.”

A South Australia Police spokesman said the fine handed to the driver was $301 and three demerit points.

“Police were alerted to a car towing a trailer on Eighth Street with a man on the trailer,” he said.

“The driver was stopped and issued an on-the-spot fine for towing a trailer with person in or on the trailer.”