Technology top of Christmas wish lists

It's an "iChristmas" according to Santa Claus with many children asking him for iPhones, iPads and iPods at Bayfair this year.

Mr Claus said he had one mature 4-year-old boy tell him it was the way he lived and he needed to know all the new technology for when he started school next year.

"They are growing up so fast now days," he said.

Mr Claus said it had been a busy year this year with children on holiday from China, Thailand and the USA visiting him.

"I will be incredibly busy this year as some children have got very long lists," he said.

But being greedy is discouraged by Mr Claus.

Not all children had greedy intentions with many asking for living gifts such as goats to donate from Oxfam.

"I have had some sad stories where some children have lost loved ones this year and they have asked for one more Christmas with them." Mr Claus said he had all the usual requests this year for Barbies and Lego.

"The oddest request I had was one boy asking for a one-way trip to Mars and when I asked him why he said it was so he could get away from his younger brother," Mr Claus said.

Mr Claus likes to encourage literacy and is giving a children's book instead of lollies to children.

This year it is The Night Before Christmas , printed at the expense of Bayfair. Mr Claus will be at Bayfair until Christmas.