YOUNGSTERS leaving a Chippenham primary school on the last day of term before Christmas got an unexpected sweet surprise.

For stood at the gates was one of Santa's reindeer accompanied by an elf - and they were dishing out treats to every child passing by.

The surprise was organised by Odette Ward, 44, one of the members of the Friends of Redland School in Brook Street.

Dressed as a reindeer, she and Santa's elf, April Jones, 33, handed out Kinder treats to every child who wanted one in return for a small donation from their parents, guardians and carers.

Odette's eight-year-old daughter Abigail goes to the school, as does April's seven-year-old daughter Esme. They are both in the same class.

Mrs Ward, of Drake Crescent, said: "It's been such a rubbish year with Covid and all the children have been working hard.

"We just wanted to thank the kids. they have had such a horrid year and they deserve a little treat."

The pair stood at the gates in the cold and rain while the snowman they had made from powder quickly melted.

As each class group filed out under the supervision of head teacher Veronica Joy, the children were given Kinder sweets and the adults with them dropped coins into a collection bucket.

In all, the pair had brought around 400 treats for the whole school of nearly 300 children, plus some for their brothers and sisters waiting for them to come out.

The money raised will be donated to the school to support projects and activities in the new year.

Mrs Joy was grateful for the Friends' support, saying: "They raise a lot of money for the school and are always coming up with ingenious ways of fundraising, particularly at this time of year. We are very lucky."

Mrs Ward also plans to go round the Cepen Park estate in Chippenham over the weekend to raise more funds for the school.