TEN-year-old Thomas Blackburn loves surprising others with gifts - but on Friday (January 20) it was his turn to be surprised.

The schoolboy, who lives with his mum Kate in Silkstone Street, posted Christmas cards and chocolates in December to houses around St Helens, where he liked to go and see the Christmas lights.

He was also spotted giving Christmas gifts out to shoppers in his local supermarket Morrisons.

After shoppers reported his generous deeds, supermarket staff decided to give Thomas, who attends Queen's Park School, a present of his own.

Marc Andrews, customer service manager, handed Thomas, who thought he was just going to Morrisons cafe for a hot chocolate, a £30 gift card.

Marc said: "What a lovely thing to do! We were really impressed and touched when we heard about it. We thought he deserved a little treat in recognition of the pleasure he has given others."

Thomas, who thought he was in trouble when Morrisons staff approached him with the vouchers, said he would spend them on something for the X-Box of a Nerf toy.

He said: "I'm glad that people like what I've done and now they know who I am - I also liked it when it was a mystery and they would get the cards and wonder who had sent them.

"I have been doing this for four years with my mum's help, and this is the first year people have really found out who I am, so I will have to think of something different to do to surprise people next year."

His mum Kate said: "I'm really proud - he has also had some thank you cards and selection boxes handed in at his school."

Ron Griffiths told the Star: "I was in Morrisons with my wife Irene just before Christmas. My wife was in the freezer section and a little boy came and handed her a card and some chocolates. He said 'Merry Christmas!' and disappeared.

"He was holding a carrier bag with what looked like more presents in to give out. It made my wife's day and she couldn't stop smiling afterwards.

"We'll never forget that."