guarded from festive vandals Quote:
Arsonists who enjoy burning down a festive Swedish straw goat may have met their match this year.
In the 40 years since the tradition started, the giant goat of Gavle has often gone up in flames within days.
But this year the 13-metre (43ft) high goat has a coat of flame-resistant chemicals, and the authorities are determined it will see in the New Year.
"No-one is going to get our goat this year," says a local spokeswoman with confidence.
The culprits are seldom caught. However, a 51-year-old American tourist spent 18 days in jail after being convicted of setting it alight in December 2001.
In the 40 years since the tradition started, the giant goat of Gavle has often gone up in flames within days.
But this year the 13-metre (43ft) high goat has a coat of flame-resistant chemicals, and the authorities are determined it will see in the New Year.
"No-one is going to get our goat this year," says a local spokeswoman with confidence.
The culprits are seldom caught. However, a 51-year-old American tourist spent 18 days in jail after being convicted of setting it alight in December 2001.
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