WILBUR the Wiltshire Times alligator was on hand to help a Melksham youngster celebrate his birthday this week.

The newspaper's mascot paid a surprise visit to Toby Southgate's class at Bowerhill School on Wednesday, for his sixth birthday.

Toby's mother, Hayley, who celebrated her 40th on the same day, was on hand to show Wilbur around the school.

While he was there the alligator gave out chocolate eggs and Wiltshire Times bookmarks to Toby's classmates.

Wilbur is a regular at Wiltshire Times events and has been helping to raise money for our 150 fund, set up to help local groups in the paper's 150th anniversary year.

Wilbur was there providing support when Wiltshire Times staff were bag-packing at ASDA recently to help raise more funds.

He is also a familiar face at carnivals held throughout west Wiltshire and is planning to go along to events throughout the summer.

At the moment Wilbur is inviting Junior Times readers to join in an exciting competition.

Youngsters can colour in a picture of Wilbur to be found on the Junior Times page every week and send it in.

Each week we will pull out the name of a winner who will receive a voucher to take their friends or family for a meal at Chicago Rock.