Pop a bubbly with Osama on X-mas

Lima (Peru): Some Peruvian winemakers have ditched Santa Claus this festive season, instead turning to al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to help their sales.

Authorities in northern Peru this week uncovered a case of sparkling wine labelled "Bin Laden Champagne" that illegal local brewers hoped to sell at Christmas fairs for $1 a bottle.

However, authorities have said that the booze is unsafe to drink.

"Anyone who drunk the stuff would probably be seriously ill," said Carlos Segura, a town hall official in Chiclayo north of Lima, who had no idea why the wine was named after Bin Laden.

"We tipped it into the sewers," he added.