DELIGHTED villagers awoke to find the Easter Bunny had visited them overnight - leaving a chocolate egg on the doorstep of every house.

Residents in Alderholt said they believe every house in the village was left the unexpected Easter gift by the mystery benefactor.

The village has a population of around 3,000 people, with delighted families and residents saying this is the first time it has happened.

Rob Wood, 67, said: "It is just such a lovely gesture. Every house in the village got one as far as we are aware.

"We walked around the village and everyone seemed to have been left one of these chocolate foil wrapped eggs.

"My daughter said everyone was talking about it on Facebook.

"It's never happened before.

"It must have been quite some operation."

Mr Wood said many people thought the kind-hearted gesture was from the church.

Tracey Feltham added: "It's just such a beautiful thing.

"Everyone is on Facebook going absolutely crazy about it.

"It looks like everyone was left an egg. It's very Vicar of Dibley!

"It's a wonderful act of random kindness and I think that explains where it has come from.

"It's just such a lovely thing to do.

"It's never happened before and I've lived here for 20 years."