A mystery person or group is attempting to spread some festive cheer this year by leaving small gifts around an East Lancashire neighbourhood for people to find.

Small snowmen, tree decorations and more have been found by several people in the Sabden area of the Ribble Valley.

Many people in the area are desperate to find one for themselves, with many embarking on early morning walks in an attempt to stumble across one

The small gifts have tags attaching to them wishing the finder a merry Christmas or asking them to post a picture of the trinket to the Sabden Community News Facebook group.

The ‘secret Santa’ is yet to come forward and reveal their identity/identities which many locals say adds to the mystery and magic of the act of kindness.

Katie Skillings found a handmade red star on Whalley Road, decorated with buttons and pearl beads.

Lancashire Telegraph: Katie Skillings found a star on Whalley Road(Photo: Katie Skillings)Katie Skillings found a star on Whalley Road(Photo: Katie Skillings)

She found it while delivering milk around the village.

Bryan Finnigan found a robin decoration hanging on a branch and gave it to his mum, Marion Finnigan.

Lancashire Telegraph: Marion Finnigan with her robin ornament (Photo: Bev Finnigan)Marion Finnigan with her robin ornament (Photo: Bev Finnigan)

Bev Finnigan, who posted the photo to the group, said: “It certainly put a smile on her face.

“Thank you again to the person bringing Christmas cheer to the village”

Dianne Barlow only moved the village a week ago, but found a small Christmas tree with a small tag which read “merry Christmas”.

Lancashire Telegraph: Dianne found one in Sabden and gave it to her daughter, Sasha (Photo: Dianne Barlow)Dianne found one in Sabden and gave it to her daughter, Sasha (Photo: Dianne Barlow)

She discovered it on a dog walk last weekend and it now belongs to her 10-year-old daughter, Sasha Barlow.

Harriet Mitchell found a small decoration with a teddy bear on the front, which she hung on her Christmas tree.

Lancashire Telegraph: Harriet Mitchell hung her find on her tree (Photo: Harriet Mitchell)Harriet Mitchell hung her find on her tree (Photo: Harriet Mitchell)

Ms Mitchell had been on the hunt for a while but “finally” found one while walking her dog.

She said: “I put it on my tree straight away- what a lovely idea.”

Rachel Gregory found a “cute” blue one made out of woll during her early morning dog walk.

Lancashire Telegraph: Rachel Gregory found a small gift while walking her dog (Photo: Rachel Gregory)Rachel Gregory found a small gift while walking her dog (Photo: Rachel Gregory)

She said: “I found one! Early morning dog walk success.  I like that they don’t want us to know who they are.”

Emily Stronach found a knitted snowman in the early hours of the morning.

She said: “A lovely surprise at 4.30 in the morning when arriving at work! I absolutely love it.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Emily Stronach found a snowman at work (Photo: Emily Stronach)Emily Stronach found a snowman at work (Photo: Emily Stronach)

Other locals are eager to get their hands on one in the coming weeks.

One person said: “I'm going to have to start getting up earlier and walking more. I would love to find one.

Another wrote: “I am up early walking….but never find one ….don’t think they are up Pendle.”

“Please mystery one leave one on my salon door,” said another.

It’s not the first time the mystery person has left gifts behind for the community to discover.

In the past, they have left behind keyrings and knitted gifts with a range of seasonal themes from Halloween to Easter.


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