Sidmouth's Mother Christmas made a comeback this year, handing out sweets to children and treats to dogs on the Esplanade on the morning of December 25.
Francine Hayes was unable to make her festive outing last year because her husband Phil had to go into hospital for a cancer operation. At the time she told the Herald she was very sad to miss her Christmas day giveaway - which she had done every year since 2006 - but she promised she would return in 2023.
Sure enough, she was out there between 10 and 11am, dressed in her Santa costume, once again putting smiles on faces as she handed out her treats.
She said: "This year there were so many people and dogs, the most I have ever seen, and my sweets disappeared very fast."
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