A Kent man has been charged after a protester dressed as Santa climbed the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree.

Christopher Todd, from Deal, will appear in court accused of causing criminal damage to the landmark in London.

Police were called to the scene in central London last Sunday during what was understood to have been a Fathers4Justice protest.

A man could be seen in full Father Christmas costume, complete with a hat and false white beard.

They also had a newspaper with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s face on the front and a headline reading: "Put the father back into Xmas."

Todd, 35, of Mill Hill, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 22.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed Todd was arrested following the incident.

Fathers4Justice is a campaign group fighting for changes in legislation on fathers' rights.

The Christmas tree, usually about 20 metres high, is donated from Norway every year.

It has been given annually by the Scandinavian country to Britain since 1947 for thanks for its help during the Second World War.