CHRISTMAS came early for youngsters in the Children's Ward of a Wirral hospital thanks to the generosity of staff and customers from four local supermarkets.

Young patients from Wirral Women and Children's Hospital who will be away from home at Yuletide were showered with gifts and toys following an extra special delivery by Sainsbury supermarket staff from Upton, Neston, Ellesmere Port and Chester.

Emma Deakin, play specialist at Wirral Women and Children's Hospital said: "The generosity of the customers and staff at Sainsbury's has been overwhelming.

"We don't like to keep our young patients in hospital over Christmas unless we really have to.

"But for those that do stay with us, we do everything we can to make it really special, memorable, and as normal as possible."

Ian Massey, deputy store manager of the Upton branch, said: "All four Sainsbury's stores have worked together to pool the amazing kindness of our staff and customers to make a real difference to the hospital.

"We are really happy to have helped make Christmas a little more special for those young patients that will be spending it here on the Children's Ward."

Wirral Lung Exercise Group and Birkenhead male darts teams also donated special gifts.

The youngsters staying in hospital will get a special visit from Santa on Christmas Day.