Mention Santa Claus and many people will immediately think of his troop of reindeers and of the particularly lovable Rudolph, famous for his red nose.

However, it has been revealed by one reindeer who refused to be named, that Rudolph's nose is only scarlet due to a vicious branding carried out by Satan in a fit of sadistic rage.

One of the most obvious links between the Devil and the reindeers are the horns that are sported by both. What other reason is there for reindeers to have such attachments? There are there simply for identification so that Satan never mistakes a horse for one of his well-trained troop.

One of Santa's well-known trademarks is his jolly old catchphrase "Ho, Ho, Ho". However, this is not an utterance of pleasure after a particularly amusing anecdote, this is merely a throwback to the time that he spends in Hell where people who hate gardening are eternally tortured. They are often shouted at to "Dig, dig, dig" and "Hoe, hoe, hoe," Thus, these words are a Freudian slip on the part of Mr Satan Esq.

"Ho, ho, ho" - not as jolly as it seems