A POPULAR reindeer exhibition at the Celtic Manor has been removed after staff found the site "not suitable".

Reindeer had featured in the five-star resort's Christmas Kingdom experience at Christmas time.

But the RSPCA later received phone calls from a person expressing concerns over the animals' welfare.

A council officer later inspected the site and found it to be "not suitable".

A spokesman for RSPCA said: “Having received calls about the welfare of reindeer at an exhibition based at the Celtic Manor Resort, we worked closely with Newport County Council, who had also received a call.

“An officer from trading standards visited the resort to check on the conditions in which the reindeer were being kept.

“The Newport City Council officer inspected the area and advised staff it was not suitable.

“At this special time of year, we understand that seeing a ‘real’ reindeer can add to the magic of the festive season. However, reindeer require lots of specialist care."

He added that the reindeer had been returned to their owner in Kent.

A Celtic Manor spokesman confirmed the reindeer had been removed.

He said: "The resort has always taken great care to meet the upkeep and welfare needs of these animals and we have worked closely with our accredited reindeer provider to establish a comfortable environment for the reindeer in our care.

"Changes to the infrastructure of other parts of Christmas Kingdom have had an unforeseen impact on this year’s reindeer enclosure so, in consultation with Newport City Council, we have decided it is in the best interests of the reindeer to remove them entirely."