Move over, Buster! Viewers say this year's M&S Christmas advert featuring Bond-style Mrs Claus beats John Lewis 

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John Lewis has triumphed over rivals with its heart-warming Christmas adverts. 

But it appears it has been knocked off the top spot this year by another retail giant.

Within moments of the premiere of the Marks & Spencer campaign tonight, dozens of excited viewers had taken to Twitter to declare it the best festive TV spot.  

The advert shows Mrs Claus waving off her husband on Christmas Eve before she sets out on her own James Bond style mission to deliver a present to six-year-old Jake, a young boy who wants to make his sister's Christmas extra special.

The daring Mrs Claus finds the gift, rides a snowmobile and flies a helicopter to London and back - all before Father Christmas returns home on Christmas morning.

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Secret mission: Mrs Claus flies from Lapland to London by helicopter to deliver the present

Nation's favourite: Viewers declared Marks & Spencer the winner of best Christmas advert

The heart-warming story appears to have won the nation's hearts.  

User Izzy David wrote: 'Sorry John Lewis, Marks & Spencer's has got you for this year's Christmas ad! #lovemrsclaus'.

Sarah Cox posted: 'Marks & Spencer Christmas advert #mrsclaus'.

Another tweeted: 'Love new Christmas advert from Marks & Spencer #LoveMrsClaus'.

Marks & Spencer will hope the advert captures the imagination of shoppers enough to boost their seasonal sale figures. The high street giant announced this week it will close 60 stores around the world in response to falling profits.

It appears the retailer spared no expense, bringing together Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper - whose films include The King's Speech, Les Miserables and The Damned United - and Olivier Award-winning actress Janet McTeer as Mrs Claus. 

The advert starts with Mrs Claus seeing Father Christmas off on his sleigh, making sure he has a flask of hot tea and a cheese and pickle sandwich for the journey. 

She opens a letter from Jake, a little boy who says he has spent the last year bickering with his big sister, Anna. 

He explains that his dog Tiger 'loves eating things' and ruined Anna's favourite pair of trainers. He hopes Mrs Claus will be able to help with a replacement. 

Action packed: Mrs Claus races through a tunnel on a snowmobile to the helicopter pad

Back in time for breakfast: She returns home before her husband arrives on Christmas Day

Reading the letter, Mrs Claus activates a high-tech map of the world where a flashing red dot marks Jake's family home in London. 

She goes to her wardrobe and with the tilt of a jewellery holder reveals a secret walk-in wardrobe packed with neatly wrapped red-and-white presents.

Moments later Mrs Claus is speeding through an underground ice tunnel on a snowmobile towards a helicopter pad. 

She hops into the drivers seat and sets off for London.

At Jake's family home she places Anna's present underneath the tree before indulging in two mince pies left out for her husband. 

The following morning the family wakes and Anna discovers a new pair of sparkly red trainers from her brother. 

Meanwhile Mrs Claus has returned home to Lapland and pretends to snooze on the sofa, mischievously telling him: 'It wouldn't be fun if you knew all my secrets'.