Four children who took part in a town trail competition in Helston received an early Christmas present when they were picked as winners.

The trail was set up by the Helston Business Improvement Partnership to encourage children and their families to explore their town.

Leaflets were given out at local schools with a list of things for the children to find. Parents could also print a leaflet off using a link on the Helston Christmas Lights Facebook page.

As part of their entry, children could write a letter to Santa on the trail leaflet and post it to him in a special post box in town.

Santa himself picked the winners at the end of his procession through the town as part of the first Helston Christmas Fair.

In joint first place and sharing the £50 prize were ten-year-old Ellie Hicks of Sithney Primary School and 13-year-old Chloe Smith of Helston Community College. They wrote in their letter to Father Christmas: “All I want for Christmas is for everyone to get along.”

In second place was seven-year-old Alice Williams of Parc Eglos School, who won £30. She wrote: “I have been sharing nicely by giving Nong Nong (her brother Daniel) one of my prizes. I hope you have a Merry Christmas.”

Finally third place when to four-year-old Lucy Shutt of Pathways Nursery in Helston. She wrote to Santa: “Please can I have a yellow Peppa Pig House where lots of houses come out.”

Hopefully Santa got the message, but if he had other plans then little Lucy now has £15 to put towards her dream toy.