Winchester’s MP donned his Santa hat recently to bring a touch of Christmas to a pre-school in Micheldever Station.

Micheldever and Stratton Pre-School recently moved to its new home at the Warren Centre, from East Stratton, and had a visit from Steve Brine.

Mr Brine said: “When I dropped by last week the children were sorting through the Christmas box and testing the lights but they were missing the tree to put them on.

“So I picked one up from Cobbs in Headbourne Worthy this morning and dropped it to them on my way to Westminster. It was perfect as there was even snow on the ground. They were really surprised but delighted and as I left were happily putting the decorations on the tree.”

Nicola Mann-Rae, Micheldever and Stratton Pre-School manager, said: “The pre-school children, families, staff and committee are so excited that Steve was extremely generous in making our Christmas with a tree for us to decorate.”

“As a local charity run pre-school, we value the kindness and generosity of our local MP, the local community and our pre-school family. As a small, family feel run pre-school, our children and families are all very important to each and everyone of us, without whom we would not continue to exist.”

The MP, who chairs the all-party group for childcare and early education in Parliament, said: “Early years did really well in the recent Budget, we negotiated a £170m uplift in funding paid to early years providers, but it’s often the little things they miss out on so hope the tree gift helped just a little.”