CHILDREN at Ipswich Hospital were cheered up by a surprise visit from two police community support officers, along with their friend Father Christmas.Kevin Smith and Michelle Malster visited the children's wards and outpatients department to distribute more than 50 gifts to youngsters.

CHILDREN at Ipswich Hospital were cheered up by a surprise visit from two police community support officers, along with their friend Father Christmas.

Kevin Smith and Michelle Malster visited the children's wards and outpatients department to distribute more than 50 gifts to youngsters.

PCSO Malster said: “All of the presents were donated by colleagues in the police and from local businesses and it was a really lovely afternoon.

“We had so many presents that we were able to visit the children's outpatients department as well as the wards, and we were also able to give presents to any siblings that were there.

“We'd really like to thank everyone who donated a present.”

Among the organisations that helped out were Argos, Debenhams and Suffolk's Crime Reduction Panel.

The PCSOs carry out the deliveries every Christmas and they have become a popular event on the hospital's calendar.

Granddad Brian Callaghan, of Stephenson Road, Ipswich, was on the ward when the police officers arrived and said it a lovely gesture.

His seven week old granddaughter Paige has been in hospital for a few days with an infection.

Mr Callaghan said: “In the middle of everything that's going on I thought it was fantastic to see them there.”