A little boy from Biggin Hill who asked Santa for a pug was left "completely stunned" when the big man organised a special gathering for him.

Joshua Denny, nine, wrote to Santa enquiring about a pug, but was warned by his mum and dad that it may not be possible.

Mum Nina told News Shopper: "We said it was unlikely because Santa can’t carry live animals and lots of pets get abandoned over Christmas.

"We have cats and we are not the right family to have a pug."

In the letter, Joshua specified that he wanted a "live pug", hinting that a cuddly toy was not what he fancied.

However, Santa didn’t want to disappoint the boy, so he asked pug owners to bring their pets to Biggin Hill Recreation Ground on Sunday (December 30), so Joshua could play with them.

He wrote back to Joshua and told him to visit the park because there was something he wanted him to see.

Six pugs turned up for Joshua, who described being in "pug heaven" after staying with the dogs for more than an hour.

His mum added: "He was bemused. He can be quite shy, but he was beaming and went straight in amongst them and gave them treats.

"He even spoke to the owners who were so lovely to him. He said ‘mummy, that was the best day ever.'"

Nina said she was overwhelmed by people’s response to Santa’s request and said she was grateful that people who didn’t even know Joshua showed up.