It seems that Father Christmas takes his summer holidays on the Helford River – and is not afraid to carry out some good deeds while there.

The big man made a surprise guest appearance at Helford Passage Regatta last week, mucking in with the day.

Visitors were stunned when the special visitor arrived by ferry, right in the middle of proceedings.

Up until that point people had been enjoying a variety of rowing and swimming races, on a sunny day.

Jenny Purdy, a regatta committee member, said: “We knew that Father Christmas’s elves were on holiday at ’Elford Passage, as they were helping out on the ferry and serving ice creams. But we had no idea the man himself was here too!

“He was brilliant in helping us raise a record amount of more than £2,250 for Falmouth RNLI.”

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet: