The men climbed on to a gantry above the westbound carriageway at junction 20.

Avon and Somerset Police were called shortly before 9am to the six men who were waving a banner reading "Fathers for Christmas".

Traffic was flowing freely but a 50mph speed limit was put in place.

Campaign group spokesman Dan Beach said they did not wish to inconvenience the public but wanted to raise awareness to people in the south west.

He said the six Santa's represented "the countless children who will not be seeing non-resident parents - mainly fathers - across the UK this Christmas".