Christmas is a time for celebration and fun, and for many people, this will mean decorating their houses in gawdy lights and fittings that they wouldn't dare use throughout the year. However, while the majority of people are happy to tolerate the lights and showy atmosphere of the holiday season, it seems that some residents in Bedfordshire are starting to grow tired of one business' holiday spirit. 

The Loft Café, in Shefford, Bedfordshire, has 'employed' Bernard, a six-foot mechanical polar bear, to stand outside the front door of the establishment since December 1st in a move to bring a little Christmas cheer to the area. But it seems many of the locals are not as keen on Bernard as the owners expected. 

Despite children in the local area being somewhat delighted by the bear and his all-singing, all-dancing Christmas exploits, the Loft's owners were paid a visit this week by local council officers who threatened the festive bear with an Asbo!

Owners Rob and Teresa Farndon were told there had been complaints of a noise nuisance and the council was legally obliged to give Bernard the once over and investigate his festive merriment. 

Cafe worker Abbie McGee, 19, said of the uproar: "The children love him and there’s even one woman who used to put 20p in his pocket every time she went past.

"I can’t believe there have been complaints, is no-one allowed to have fun anymore?"

She added that the chastised bear, who stands there day in, day out in his Santa outfit, was on shift for the whole of last December without being the subject of any complaints. But that didn't make any difference to the council, which is still looking into the noise the bear is causing. 

Bernard may have been given a stay of execution for now, but how long will his exploits go on? Only time will tell. 

In other Christmas related news, a survey from the BBC has revealed that next Monday (December 22nd) will be the busiest food shopping day of the year, with Brits set to hit the shelves hard ahead of the big day next Thursday. ADNFCR-2867-ID-801766208-ADNFCR

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