ONE hundred lucky youngsters were the recipients of an early Christmas gift courtesy of the Lord of the Manor of Newton Abbot, Keith Stokes-Smith.

The annual gift giving in the town centre was officiated by the good Lord of the Manor himself this year as Father Christmas, who normally officiates at the annual event, was otherwise engaged at his very busy North Pole headquarters.

Keith, the 43rd holder of the title, bought the Lordship of the Manorial Borough of Newton Abbot during a sale at at London auction house, and has carried on the tradition of the Yuletide gifting of toys, along with gifts delivered to 10 random homes in the Newton Abbot area, for several decades now.

First in line for an early Christmas surprise was six-year-old Tyler-May Humphries, pictured here with Keith Stokes-Smith and his honorary elf-helper for the occasion, Sandra Perraton.