Since December 9, the man has robbed five bakeries in the western suburbs of the French capital, police said, each time using the same modus operandi.

After placing an order, the man holds up what appears to be a fake revolver, points it at the person behind the cash register and takes his pastries without paying.

No one has been injured in the robberies and in each case the value of the goods stolen has been low, at between eight and 20 euros (Ł7 and Ł17).

Meanwhile in Bordeaux, police arrested Father Christmas. The 53-year-old, who was employed as a Father Christmas at Bordeaux's Christmas market, was arrested after brandishing a hunting rifle, which was unloaded, at his nephew, who was also his boss.

The Sud Ouest newspaper suggested that Father Christmas was angry over unpaid hours and felt "swindled".

"It's a family problem," market spokesman Florence Cambon told AFP.

The arrested Pere Noel was released later in the day, but his pine-tree selling nephew has filed an official complaint.

"From tomorrow (Tuesday) we will have a new Father Christmas until December 24." Miss Cambon promised.