Christmas was ruined for an Eynsham family after a 6ft flying shark gift flew away.

The shark was bought by Frances Morrill, 55, and her family for her brother Paul Smith, 50, who suffers from Down’s Syndrome and severe epilepsy.

Mr Smith’s favourite film is Jaws and he loved the shark, which was filled with helium and flew by flapping a remote controlled tail.

But the gift floated out of the house on Christmas Day after Mrs Morrill put wrapping paper in an outdoor recycling bin, leaving the front door open.

Mrs Morrill, of Merton Court, said: “My daughter and son-in-law saw the shark on Jonathan Ross and they said we have got to get this for Paul.

“When we brought him into the house on Christmas Day we had this massive shark waiting for him. He absolutely loved it.”

She added: “It was a massive thing for Paul and he didn’t have a chance to play with it properly.

“It spoiled Christmas for me because Paul means the world to me.”

If anyone has found Mr Smith’s flying shark, please call the Oxford Mail on 01865 425403.