Barnardos youngsters steamed into Kingswear for a Christmas day out with Robin Hood.

Around 180 children were treated to a packed lunch, an hour-long panto production featuring Robin Hood and his merry men and a visit to Santa's Grotto.

The day for some 300 children and their carers had been laid on by the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company with some help from the Barcelo Imperial Hotel in Torquay whose staff helped out with the lunches.

The steam rail company's head of group sales Teresa Waring said: 'The Barnardos organisers and all the mums and children were so appreciative and so enjoyed their day. Many of them had never been on a steam train before.'

The free Santa Special steam trip was laid on for youngsters from the Barnardos-run Sure Start groups at Tiverton, Tavistock, Okehampton and Hatherleigh.

When they arrived the children found a packed lunch waiting for them on their seats at the special theatre set up at Kingswear railway Station.

They then watched the panto production performed by a nine strong cast from the Dartmouth based Dare to be Different Productions.

After the show, all the youngsters went to visit Santa in his railway station grotto where they were handed a present.

The youngsters and their carers had boarded the steam train at Paignton before travelling to Kingswear in seven carriages hauled by the line's Hercules locomotive.

When they arrived they were greeted by Dartmouth mayor Paul Allen and town crier Lez Ellis ringing his bell.

The steam rail company has nominated Barnardos as its chosen charity. Teresa said it was the first time that the company has organised a free event on that scale.