Santa gave Rudolf and the other reindeer the afternoon off when he took to the skies in an RAF Benson Merlin helicopter.
His surprise visit to Checkendon School near Wallingford proved a hit with the children at the village primary.
He stayed with them for the afternoon, listening to their requests and handing out presents.
Then the Merlin helicopter, scheduled for a tour of duty in Iraq in the new year, took him away to prepare for more traditional transport over Christmas.
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