A naughty brother and sister reduced to tears by a warning from Santa have changed their ways and moved on to his nice list.

Tyler Cole, 8, and his sister Freya, 4, who live in West Ewell, burst into tears when they read Santa’s letter which said "you have not been good children".

Santa told the pair that they had 13 sleeps before Christmas Eve to start behaving or they would not get the lovely presents that he has for them.

Unbeknown to the children, this letter was actually sent by their mother Laura, 32, in a bid to make them behave in the run up to Christmas.

And Mrs Cole says that her plan seems to have worked. Yesterday she said: "They’re good behaviour is continuing so far.

"They are not overly naughty children, I think just the last few weeks the excitement for Christmas became all too much and we wanted to give them something to focus on.

"The letter has certainly helped them do that and to also get along better as they have something to work on together.

"They are very much on the nice list and with eight sleeps to go I can say that’s hopefully where they will be staying."

Mrs Cole filmed the children's tearful reaction to Santa’s letter and reminded them that they still had time to change their behaviour.

Beginning to cry, Tyler told the camera: "What are you looking at us like that for? It makes me upset."

Despite the story making page 3 of the Daily Mail and the video going viral on YouTube, the children still believe the letter came from Santa’s grotto in the North Pole.

Mrs Cole said: "They very much believe that Santa wrote and sent them the letter. We are big believers of Christmas and will keep that magic alive for as long as we can."

The letter:

Santa Claus

The grotto

The North Pole

11th December 2014

Dear Tyler and Freya, I have been watching you for the last few weeks and I am certain that you will both be on my naughty list. You have not been good children.

I can see you have been fighting with each other and not treating each other well. This has made me feel extremely disappointed. I am also not impressed with the lack of listening you do Freya and the attitude you have at the moment Tyler.

You have 13 sleeps to change this. I will be watching you both very very closely in a hope I can change you to the nice list. If you do not start behaving you will not receive the lovely presents I have for you both. Remember only good children are on the nice list.

I hope to see you on Christmas Eve.

Santa Claus