The Red Devils paid a surprise visit to the Spicerhaart staff awards bash.

And no – they didn’t drop in from the skies.

They came in through the door, magnificently accompanied by a drummer and trumpeter from the Parachute Regiment Band.

Staff are planning a sky dive with the Red Devils next month to raise money for the company’s Magic Moments charity, which takes children from hospices on a trip of a lifetime to Disneyland.

Award-winners from across the company’s brands of haart, Darlows, Haybrook, Chewton Rose and Felicity J Lord, along with Land and New Homes and Just Mortgages divisions, were presented with trophies at the event, held at Five Lakes in Essex.

Estate agency MD Russell Jervis said: “We are delighted to reward our top performers, who follow our processes with pride, passion and pace.

“In 2016, we had to navigate a tricky path through the uncharted waters of Stamp Duty and Brexit, with all the challenges that threw at us.

“We reacted quickly and grew market share, and invested in our new Flink social media technology which has transformed our marketing, driving thousands of new prospective customers to our websites every week.”

The awards ceremony was part of the company’s annual conference, Ice Apex 2017, and featured comic Jo Caulfield, top international estate agency speaker Tom Panos as well as the Red Devils, the British Army’s Parachute Regiment display team.

Award winners included: Jacqui White, Mel Mills, Andrew Wallington, Lee Crowhurst, Gemma Povey, Cathy Cummings, Dan Sumner, Suzanne White, Rachel Bedford, Daryl Chappell, Andrew Wallington, Alex Lawrence, Paul Copeland, Jake Gibson, Ricky Wright, Chloe Brandon, Tracey Swift, Sophie Pearson, Lianna Tilley, Chris Naya and Gary Hitchcock.

For lettings: Sat Basi, Paul Channa, Bobby Andrews, Mel Casey, Erin McCann, Emily Stephens, Jas Mann, Victoria Cascini, Kevin Cooper, Charlotte Marshall, Ellie Padbury, Sian Tyler.

The award for top newcomer went to Chris Naya, 36, a father of five who was assaulted in an unprovoked attack and left in a life-threatening condition just before Christmas. No one has been caught for the attack.

Naya, who suffered severe head injuries, has now returned to work for Just Mortgages, based at haart estate agents in Clacton.

He said: “Obviously I’ve had my setbacks, but knowing my family are there to support me, as well as my peers, I’ve been able to come through the other side, which has made me realise that every moment counts.

“Being recognised for this award has simply given me more motivation and determination to continue the good work.”