CHILDREN at Ipswich Hospital were overjoyed when they had an early surprise visit from Father Christmas.Andy Fletcher, who was disguised in white beard and red hat, visited the children as part of his duties as a slave after being bought at a charity auction.

CHILDREN at Ipswich Hospital were overjoyed when they had an early surprise visit from Father Christmas.

Andy Fletcher, who was disguised in white beard and red hat, visited the children as part of his duties as a slave after being bought at a charity auction.

He came bearing gifts and sweets at the Bergholt and Boxford wards and was also accompanied by Rudolph the Red Nose reindeer, also known as James Hammond, another slave carrying out his duties.

Mr Fletcher was bought for £100 at a charity auction organised by his employers Maersk Logistics, for Children In Need, which in total raised £630.

His managing director Jeremy Haycock made the winning bid for the Felixstowe warehouse worker on Children In Need night, Friday November 15.

Organiser Lesanne Mitchell said: "The man in question was bought by our MD for a fair amount of money but we didn't know what to do with him so we decided to take him to hospital."