Youngsters at a Christmas carol service were devastated when the Reverend Lee Rayfield told them Santa Claus was dead.

Even parents at the service in Maidenhead, Berkshire, were shocked to hear Mr Rayfield say it was scientifically impossible for Father Christmas to deliver so many presents so quickly.

Mr Rayfield has admitted making a serious misjudgment in telling the story to children as young as five.

Children are not children for very long and it is not his job to tell them things like this Sue Smee, mother

He said: "I did not realise how young some of them were and I am sitting here now wondering how I managed not to realise.

"Even when I was there, I did not twig. I am mortified and appreciate I have put some parents in a difficult position with a lot of explaining to do. I love Christmas."

Mr Rayfield also told the youngsters that reindeer would burst into flames if they had to travel at the speeds necessary.

Mother Sue Smee was at the service with her five-year-old and nine-year-old sons.

'Totally inappropriate'

She said: "Children are not children for very long and it is not his job to tell them things like this.

"It has left us parents with a lot of explaining to do today."

Mother-of-four Sarah McCreery, also from Maidenhead, said: "It would not have taken a genius to look out at the congregation and realise how young the children were.

"It was totally inappropriate."

Mr Rayfield, whose comments came from an internet story on how scientific research could dispel the myth of Santa, is now writing a letter to parents apologising for the blunder.

The incident happened at the packed Saint Piran's School carol service at St Mary's Church in Maidenhead on Monday night.