Yesterday, Santa had to make his own way back from Rathlin Island after a lifeboat crew was hijacked to come to the aid of a fishing trawler after its propeller got caught in the nets.

The 25m trawler with six crew on board was six miles northeast of Rathlin Island when he requested assistance from the Red Bay RNLI.

Luckily, the volunteer lifeboat crew were nearby as they had just delivered Santa to Rathlin Island during their weekly training exercise.

But unfortunately that meant Santa had to take the ferry back to the mainland as the lifeboat crew immediately headed for the trawler and towed it to Ballycastle within four hours of operation.

Red Bay RNLI coxswain Joe Mc Collam said: “We were sorry to let Santa come home from Rathlin, but we knew we were leaving him in very good hands with the local ferry crew. .

“The stuck trawler was in trouble and the crew were unable to move the vessel. This area can be quite dangerous and they had to be brought to a safe harbor.

“Fortunately the lifeboat crew were nearby and were able to get them to Ballycastle. We’ve also heard that Santa has made a safe and enjoyable return to Rathlin and is looking forward to Christmas. “