A FAMILY whose Christmas was in danger of being cancelled by burglars has been brought some much-needed festive cheer -- by Santa himself.

Marlon Savoini touched the hearts of readers when we highlighted the plight of his devastated family who were the victims of cruel raiders.

Burglars struck at their Howarth Avenue home in Church last week and made off with all the Christmas presents, valued at more than £1,000.

Mum Patricia has been in tears since the raid, prompting seven-year-old Marlon to pen a letter to Father Christmas asking him to male his 'mum smile again and be happy'.

And the man himself replied in person when he popped round yesterday.

Armed with gifts for Patricia, Marlon and his sisters Francessca, 12, and 17-year-old Lisa Hamer, Father Christmas arrived at the home as a surprise for the family.

With his sleigh being pulled by members of the Church and Oswaldtwistle Rotary Group -- Rudolph and co are being rested for the final push on Christmas Eve -- Santa helped save their Christmas when he handed over a cheque for £200.

Little Marlon, a pupil at St Nicholas Primary School, Accrington, said: "I didn't think we would have Christmas this year because of what happened. I couldn't believe it when Santa knocked on our door."

Lisa said: "This is brilliant and it goes to show that there are some nice people still out there. The family has helped us and Marlon is feeling a little better after our uncle gave him his PlayStation, but we are still upset at what happened."

Philip Wardle, of the Rotary group, said the money and gifts were bought from the £1,600 raised by the annual fundraising event of pulling Santa around the streets of Oswaldtwistle. The bulk of the money is to be ploughed into a scheme to ship medical equipment to Uganda early in the new year although some is donated to local charities.

He said: "We read about the family in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and wanted to help."

Police today re-issued an appeal for information on the theft, which took place on Tuesday between 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Detective Sergeant Jim Rothwell, of Accrington CID, said they wanted to talk to three youths, all white males aged between 16-17, were seen later in Buckingham Grove, carrying what police said, were pillow cases and duvets 'full of boxes'. Anyone with any information should contact Accrington CID on 353741 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.