Santa flew into Dartmouth wearing an ordinary overcoat as a disguise and came into the Chronicle offices. After he took his dark overcoat off, unwrapped the scarf that covered his bushy white beard, it became obvious who he was.

He told the Chronicle: “My elves have put enough presents in my sack that I am sure that every child who comes to see me on Saturday, December 16, between 11am and 3pm, at the Old Market in Dartmouth, will receive a gift and gold coin.

“I will be wearing my normal red and white outfit, so it will be much easier for the children to spot me.”

Santa would not say who was the generous benefactor who had paid for this special pre-Christmas treat. He said: “It was funded anonymously, in the true spirit of Christmas.”