Baffled Santas are being sent on a crash course in hi-tech toys to help them keep up with today's gadget-obsessed kids.

The training scheme was launched after ageing Santas complained they couldn't understand what children were asking for in their Christmas lists.

An online helpline has also been set up so Santas can call experts and ask for technical advice on computer games, consoles, cameras, and MP3 players.

Jeremy Fennell from PC World told The Sun: "There are more than 40,000 different gadgets and technologies on sale right now, a great many of which are going to be on children's Christmas lists.

"The Santas we are training are going to be faced with a very technically literate and technology savvy generation of youngsters over the next two months and we want them to be able to show that they understand what these kids are asking for.

"Nothing could be more depressing than being asked by Santa what you want for Christmas and finding he doesn't have a clue what you're talking about."

Santas from across the UK will be attending the training before heading to grottos across Britain.

A recent study found that only one in five Father Christmases had heard of the Nintendo DSi white while less than one in 10 knew about the must-have Sony reader.

One Santa, from Leicester, said: "There are so many new gadgets around now that I don't have the time to keep up with all the latest ones.

"It was much easier when all kids wanted was Connect 4 or a Scalextric but now they're asking for things like a Flip Mini Chrome Camcorder which, before my training, meant nothing to me."