Father Christmas powered his way into Teignmouth to say thank you to the life-saving volunteers with the RNLI who will be on call throughout the festive season.

He arrived courtesy of the town's lifeboat and was greeted with cheers and plenty of excitement by children from Shaldon Primary School (pictured right).

Speaking to the Teignmouth Post, he said: 'I find it comforting to know that when I am doing my rounds on Christmas Eve, the volunteer lifeboat crews are on duty while I fly over the water.

'I send them all good wishes for Christmas and the new year.'

The RNLI has said that, as usual, crews will be expected to turn out at any time during the festivities if and when an emergency occurs.

Last year in the south west there were 16 search and rescue missions carried out between December 24 and January 1.

On January 30 the RNLI is to stage SOS, its biggest fundraising event of the year.

It wants as many people as possible to take part and is keen that the range of events is as diverse as those organising them.