Santa welcomed back after being fired

McLean, Virginia - Shoppers at Tysons Corner Center Mall in McLean can rest easy: Santa Claus is back on the job.

51-year-old Michael Graham, a construction worker from Seiverville, Tenn., has been playing the role of the jolly old elf for years.

But at the start of the holiday season, the mall planned to give Graham the boot after it hired a new photography company to enhance its holiday look.

They didn't count on his legion of fans.

Residents sent e-mails and petitions to the mall's management, demanding the return of Graham as Kris Kringle.

Not wanting to be a Grinch, the mall bowed to public demand, and Graham was back in the familiar role just as the season gets underway.

Graham, who takes a yearly leave from his construction job to play Santa, says he's humbled by the outpouring of support.