IT was a case of Smarties overload, for an Ipswich girl who is now giving the chocolate away to a good cause.11-year-old Amy Athroll, of Maidenhall Approach was delighted when she entered a competition in Smash Hits magazine to win a dancing holiday - and heard she'd won a prize.

By Tracey Sparling

IT was a case of Smarties overload, for an Ipswich girl who is now giving the chocolate away to a good cause.

11-year-old Amy Athroll, of Maidenhall Approach was delighted when she entered a competition in Smash Hits magazine to win a dancing holiday - and heard she'd won a prize.

But unfortunately for the keen dancer, she had not scooped the top prize, but a consolation prize of a year's supply of Smarties!

After receiving a bumper delivery of 180 tubes at Easter, and with the rest of the supply due in September, Amy could see the mountain of tubes piling up.

The Stoke High School pupil knew she had to start giving them away.

"I still like chocolate but I will not be buying any for a while - and definitely not Smarties!

"I have given loads away to friends and people at my dance school. Also the children's wards at the hospital," she said.

Her mum Sonia said: "Amy spent all Easter trying to give them to family and friends, and then we had the idea to give them to children at Ipswich Hospital instead.

"We checked with the hospital and they said even diabetic patients would be able to enjoy the Smarties, as long as their diet is properly balanced."

A spokeswoman for Ipswich Hospital said: "We are absolutely thrilled with Amy's kindness and generosity."