Sir Paul McCartney played Father Christmas throwing a lavish party for 400 people.

Macca and wife Heather turned the grounds of an historic Sussex school into a winter wonderland, bringing in snow machines to create a white Christmas.

The bash was for McCartney's staff and roadies, plus their families.

But rather than the usual rock 'n' roll fare of burgers and chips, McCartney, a committed vegetarian, served veggie food.

The ex-Beatle seemed determined to live up to the title of one of his biggest solo hits Wonderful Christmastime and spared no expense on Tuesday's do at Battle Abbey School in Battle.

McCartney and Heather, who have a home just down the road in Peasmarsh as well as one in Hove, planned every detail of the party themselves, discussing the menu and organising gifts.

Workers at neighbouring Battle Abbey, scene of the most famous battle in English history, said nobody knew who the party-thrower was until he arrived on Tuesday.

One worker said: "It was all kept very hush hush. We saw the marquees going up but no one knew who was behind it.

"Apparently it was a thank you for all the hard work his team had put in on his recent world tour. We saw them all going home and everyone seemed to have had a great time."

During the Driving Rain tour, Macca played to more than two million people. It has been hailed as his most successful tour since his days with The Beatles.

Food for the event was provided by Pilgrims Restaurant in High Street, Battle. The restaurant, which prides itself on using the best local produce, simply cooked, is not vegetarian.

Today workers at the restaurant said they had been sworn to secrecy over their outside catering arrangements. A grinning spokesman said: "It was a private party. I really can't say anything."

Battle Abbey School is now closed for the Christmas break but the marquees and a fleet of vans were still there yesterday. Headmaster Roger Clark was unavailable for comment.