CARE home residents were treated to an early Christmas present, as 'snow' fell in the garden last week.

Despite the unseasonably mild weather, residents at Highcliffe Nursing Home in Stuart Road, were surprised to see what appeared to be snow in their garden.

After the residents had been entertained by vintage performer Retro Rita at their Christmas party, staff pulled back the lounge curtains to reveal the snow falling.

Sue Morris, activities coordinator at the nursing home, had bought a snow machine ahead of the party to surprise the guests.

The garden had been transformed into a winter wonderland with festive tree lighting, model reindeers, inflatable penguins, snowmen and an inflatable Father Christmas.

Nursing home manager, Tracey Miller, said: “Our residents were really excited, one said ‘look it’s snowing!’

“Relatives who were visiting said to me it has been the best ever start to Christmas at Highcliffe.”