Fat Santas agree to shape up

SANTAS and elves from around the world have gathered in Denmark to argue over the Christmas calendar, plan slimming exercises and chase a place in Guinness World Records.

Around 150 festive fans met up in Copenhagen for their 51st international convention, with an age-old argument about when Christmas really falls naturally top of their agenda.

"Yet again, the celebration date has been a real headache that divides the Santa Clauses: Most of them are in favour of December 24, but some shout loud and clear that the 25th is the sacred date,'' said Jens Peder Tornvig, a spokesman for the annual convention held in the Bakken amusement park, just north of Copenhagen.