A six-year-old girl facing her first Christmas without her dad was left speechless after she was handed hundreds of pounds worth of presents.

Sadie Belsey let out a surprised “wow” as she was presented with every little girl’s Christmas dream – a huge stack of toys and teddies.

The Elf Service decided that after her father’s sudden death at the age of 42 this year, Sadie deserved a fairytale Christmas.

And bosses at Fenwick in Canterbury were happy to help sprinkle some festive magic, handing over the mountain of goodies on Thursday.

“It is the little things that really hurt, like putting up the Christmas decorations which she used to do with her dad” - Rebecca Belsey

It came just a week after her older brother Ryan, 10, had been left equally stunned when he met his biggest hero, cricketer Kevin Pietersen.

The Belseys’ world was shattered in May when father Stephen suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage at the city’s Marlowe Theatre, where he had worked for three years.

His death was devastating for Ryan and Sadie and their mum Rebecca, who says she has been “overwhelmed” by those who have helped through the Elf Service.

Video: Sadie Belsey gets a Christmas treat

After watching Sadie receive her gifts, she said: “We were never expecting any of this and it is so nice to see them smiling.

“Sadie has been finding it very difficult at the moment and although she has been very sad over the last few months, she was carrying on as best as she could, but it’s really hitting her now.

“She has been finding it hard making Christmas cards at school with the other children. She’s really struggling.

“It is the little things that really hurt, like putting up the Christmas decorations which she used to do with her dad.”

The Elf Service even had a treat up its sleeve for Rebecca, who will pampered before the frantic festive season.

When she has a minute to herself, she will be returning to Fenwick for a full makeover from the esteemed make-up artists at Estee Lauder and a cut and blow-dry at Regis hair salon.

Do you know somebody who deserves a gift from the Elf Service? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk or write to the Editor, Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Estuary View Business Park, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.