Heartwarming Christmas moment as squaddie surprises young son at primary school after coming home early for

THIS is the heartwarming moment a British squaddie returned home for Christmas to surprise his son in class.

The soldier, Damo Archer, came home from duty for the Christmas holidays before turning up at Nico's school to give him the best present he could have hoped for.

Touching footage of the moving moment showed teachers at the school in Stockton-on-Tees in tears.

And the little lad's year two classmates gave a round of applause as he ran into his dad's arms.

Nico was in class at Harrow Gate Primary Academy on Friday, December 13, when he got the unexpected gift.

Damo had been away from home since the end of June and family were desperate to see him in time for Christmas.

His delighted wife Laura said her son had no idea his dad would be coming home before Christmas.

Nico thought he was going to be away until February.

But Damo arranged the surprise with the school an hour beforehand - and the moving moment has gone viral.

Nico’s teacher Miss Duncan tweeted the video with the caption.

She said: “Still not over this. This had us all in tears this afternoon.

"Merry Christmas to the Archers.”