Christmas is a time for spreading festive cheer and joy, and that was certainly what staff at Ipswich Hospital aimed to achieve when they donned fancy dress for the occasion back in 1979.

Ipswich Star: Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979 (Image: Archant)

Doctors and nurses at the Heath Road site helped patients and their families to laugh and enjoy the festivities by decorating the wards with tinsel and dressing as belly dancers.

Ipswich Star: Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979 (Image: Archant)

A Christmas dinner with all the trimmings was served, with crackers at the ready to help lighten the experience of being in hospital over the festive season.

Ipswich Star: Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979 (Image: Archant)

Children were also presented with gifts, including huge stuffed animals for them to cuddle.

Ipswich Star: Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979 (Image: Archant)

You can help to spread some festive cheer to patients at the hospital this year by laying a present under the Giving Tree.

Ipswich Star: Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979Carving the turkey at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day in 1979 (Image: Archant)

For further information about the Giving Tree appeal, email the Ipswich Hospital charity team via Charity@Ipswichhospital.nhs.uk