A Bideford widow, Mrs Vera Cawsey, became Father Christmas at a local shop.

She volunteered to do so after overhearing a child's disappointment on finding that the Father Christmas at Messrs Gale's in Mill Street was away through illness.

Mrs Cawsey, of 40 Clifton Street, donned the cloak and whiskers and filled the breach for two days.

She donated a reward for her services to Broomhayes children's centre at Northam.

Article dated 29 December 1972