CHRISTMAS came early for one Caterham family, when they won a hamper packed with festive goodies.
Alex Harper Williams, 40, successfully found the Father Christmas mascot hidden in the pages of the Mirror in the last five editions.
The mum-of-one's name was picked from dozens of correct entries to win the prize basket, stocked with goodies including wine, a Christmas pudding and, of course, our Santa toy.
It was the perfect cure for Mrs Harper Williams and her family, after leaking pipes soaked into the walls of their Park Road, Caterham, home at the weekend, threatening to put a dampener on Christmas.
"I am so happy, especially after everything that happened," she told the Mirror.
"We have had a funny old weekend. This will be a perfect solution."
Mrs Harper Williams' daughter Harriet was pleased to win our Santa mascot, which was hidden in one photograph each week during our competition.
But the seven-year-old, who attends St Peter and St Paul School in Chaldon, was disappointed when her mum said her "new friend" was too big to go on top of the family Christmas tree.
The hamper was stocked with treats ranging from chocolates to jams by local food producers at Priory Farm, in Sandy Lane, South Nutfield.
Mrs Harper Williams added: "I thought the competition was really fun.
"There was one week I struggled with."
Born and raised in Germany, Mrs Harper Williams now works as a freelance translator, and volunteers at her daughter's school.
But she admits she misses her homeland's famous Christmas markets during the winter.
"The smell and the mulled wine make you feel very Christmassy," she said.
"They are not as great because they are becoming so commercial, but I do miss them sometimes."
While the festive season is normally a busy time visiting family, this year Mrs Harper Williams and her science teacher husband James, 35, are planning a calmer Christmas at home with their daughter.
