THE Martin family claim “Christmas magic” brought a dream present their way.

Eleven-year-old Charlie Martin longed for a Gecko, but with two turtles, a dog, a budgie, fish and rabbits sharing the family’s Knighton home, mum Jolene said “no”.

But fate wasn’t going to take “no” for an answer.

On Christmas Eve, Jolene was preparing vegetables when something stirred in the saucepan.

To the amazement of Jolene and husband Greg, a Gecko clambered atop the broccoli that, minutes earlier, had been taken from the shed sealed in plastic, having been shipped over from Spain.

Greg got the lizard out of the pan and they put it in a plastic container to show Charlie who, understandably, was very excited.

The family’s first call was to the RSPCA, which offered helpful advice on looking after the little lizard as he clearly wasn’t used to domestic life.

Jolene and Greg then posted a picture of the lizard on Facebook to hear that it was a Common House Gecko.

There was the prospect, however, of the RSPCA taking the Gecko away after Christmas.

Greg and Jolene thought that the upset to Charlie would be too much so Jolene asked if it would be possible for them to keep the Gecko, and the RSPCA agreed.

Though strict rules regulate the keeping of wild creatures in captivity, the RSPCA said it would be difficult to return the Gecko to Spain, so, as long as it was looked after properly, the RSPCA gave the ok.

Now, Broc, as he’s been named, is one of the family.