BUDE resident, Chae Jenkins, was given a welcome birthday surprise on Christmas Day.

The 17-year-old is in the rare position of having to celebrate both occasions on the same day. But much to the shock of an unexpecting Chae, his mother, Maggie Watts, had organised his first lesson on his birthday with Bryant Driving School.

While most driving instructors are unavailable on Christmas Day, co-owner Dean Bryant and his wife Terri thought that they should give Chae their own present.

Dean said: “I was approached by his mum about whether we could organise a lesson with Chae on Christmas Day and we felt happy to do so for an hour.

“I turned up outside of his house and knocked on the door where he answered. I then asked him that I hear that someone wants a driving lesson for their birthday. He was in a bit of shock to begin with but he got ready and he did really well.

“He’s got a block of lessons lined up now and I’m sure he’ll progress quickly.”

Maggie was delighted by Chae’s response and that she was able to provide some birthday cheer on a day when all of his friends were in with their family.

Maggie said: “It was amazing to see the shock on Chae’s face when Dean knocked on the door and explained what was going to happen.

"With his birthday being on Christmas Day he doesn’t get the chance to celebrate his birthday with his mates so it was great to be able to surprise him.

“I hear he did quite well, drove around Widemouth and Kilkhampton and started to learn some of the manoeuvers so that’s great.

“I’d like to thank Dean and his wife Terri for being so great with us. They have young kids as well so for them to do what they did was really special and I can’t thank them enough.”