RUDOLPH will be visiting the Whitehouse estate in Ipswich this year - but Santa will have an extra little helper on hand to ensure he doesn't come to any harm!Police are to keep a watching eye on Ipswich Round Table's Rudolph float as it goes around the estate next month after problems with a few unruly teenagers last year.

RUDOLPH will be visiting the Whitehouse estate in Ipswich this year - but Santa will have an extra little helper on hand to ensure he doesn't come to any harm!

Police are to keep a watching eye on Ipswich Round Table's Rudolph float as it goes around the estate next month after problems with a few unruly teenagers last year.

There had been fears that the float would miss Whitehouse on its tour around town this year - but it was confirmed today that the team would be back on Monday, December 18.

Inspector Richard Lane, of Suffolk Police said: “As a result of previous youth nuisance behaviour, while the police will not be accompanying the Christmas float, we will be providing additional attention to the route of the float.

“We intend to take prompt, positive action against anyone who seeks to spoil the young residents' enjoyment of this charitable, festive favourite".

Rudolph starts his tour around town on Monday and this year the Round Table float will once again be sharing the streets with Mencap's Olde Tyme Christmas float which was grounded last year.

This year it will be back visiting the estates of Ipswich and Kesgrave as well as delighting shoppers in the town centre.

Last year the float was confined to the town centre on Thursdays because of difficulties in finding enough volunteers to take it around the town.

But this year they have found enough people and businesses in the town have been asked to help out as well.

Nino Serrietilello, head of services for the Orwell Mencap Genesis project, said his organisation was determined to get the float back on the road after it had to concentrate on other projects last year.

He said: “We felt we had to make an extra effort this year to get the float back on the road to not disappoint the many children in Ipswich who look forward to a less high tech, more real spectacle on their doorstep.

“While we still struggle to find volunteers, this year we have staff from Barclays bank going out as a merry group on one night, if there are any other staff groups up for having a challenge and a bit of fun, we would be delighted to hear from them.”

WHEN WILL RUDOLPH REACH YOU?

The float will be touring estates in Ipswich on Mondays and Wednesdays starting next Wednesday with a tour of the Felixstowe Road and Gainsborough area.

On Tuesdays it will be visiting the Grange Farm area of Kesgrave and on Thursdays it will be on the Cornhill all day and into the evening for late night shopping.

Rudolph's first visit trip around Ipswich is on Monday when he and his helpers will be in the Bixley area.

He will be out every weekday until December 22.