A TEENAGER dressed as an elf to paddleboard across a flooded field and hand out Christmas presents to the residents of an Old Malton care home.

Oscar Pulling surprised people at Abbey Residential Home as they returned from a festive pub lunch.

The 15-year-old works at the home in his spare time as a kitchen porter and his mother, Amy, works there as a carer.

Oscar, a pupil at Malton School, said he wanted to take chocolates to the residents to spread some festive joy.

"Everyone loved it, they were all smiling and laughing," he said.

The teenager, who has been paddleboarding for about five years, said: "I was in an elf onesie but there was a life jacket underneath.

"I was out there for like 15-20 minutes, I had a big sack of presents on my paddleboard with me.

"Chocolates, all sorts - just lots of nice presents."

His mum said the residents had just been to The Wentworth Arms in Old Malton for their Christmas lunch.

"The surprise visit happened on Friday - which was also my birthday - and Oscar had done it as a present to me as well as the residents,

"We timed it all so as they were all making their way back from lunch, Oscar was there to greet them on the paddleboard," she added.

"They were all so pleased to see him. He's usually in his scrubs so to see him dressed as an elf was so lovely."

Ann Race, manager of the residential home, said: "Oscar paddled up to The Abbey to the delighted whoops and cheers of the residents and staff.

"He had a huge enormous wide smile that showed how much he was enjoying himself.

"He managed to stay afloat with his large red sack of goodies for the residents, and kept dry. The residents all loved it. The whole thing made everyone smile."