A seven-year-old girl who talked to Donald Trump on Christmas Eve still left out milk and cookies for Father Christmas despite the president telling her it was "marginal" for a child of her age to still believe in the jolly old man.

Then again, Collman Lloyd of Lexington, South Carolina, said she had never heard the word "marginal" before.

Collman had called the NORAD Tracks Santa programme on Monday night to check on the journey of Father Christmas delivering toys. In an interview with the Post and Courier of Charleston, she said the scientist who answered the NORAD phone asked her if she would like to speak to the president.

Six minutes later, Mr Trump was on the line. "Are you still a believer in Santa?" he asked. When she responded, "Yes, sir," the president added, "Because at seven, that’s marginal, right?"

Collman didn’t know what "marginal" meant and simply answered, "Yes, sir." Mr Trump closed by saying, "Well, you just enjoy yourself."

Mr Trump’s chat with Collman was initially reported as being with a boy named Coleman. Only Mr Trump’s end of the conversation could be heard by reporters, but Collman’s family later posted video of the call on YouTube.