Walsall stars a hit with young patients

Football stars spread some winning festive cheer to young patients at Walsall Manor Hospital.

The Walsall FC players visited the children's ward to hand out presents and pose for photographs.

Click on the image on the right to see more pictures from the visit.

Five-year-old Oran Lally will be spending Christmas and New Year in hospital after breaking his thigh bone while playing in his school playground,

He had originally been the star of the hospital when he turned on their Christmas lights, but was excited to meet the footballers.

His father Harvinder said his son had been worried Father Christmas would not be able to find him in hospital. He said:?"It's going to be hard spending Christmas and New Year in here for him but it has meant a lot to him the players coming in and giving him the present.

"He is just getting into football and so when he is better we will go and watch them play."

Eight-month-old Zainab Asalam was admitted to the ward with a high temperature and fitting. Her dad Elias said they hoped she was not in hospital over Christmas, but the visit had cheered them up.

"It has been nice to see the football team here today," he added.

Five-year-old Alex Pritchard, who was diagnosed as being diabetic on the day the footballers arrived, was excited to be able to play table football with some of them. His mum

Rachel, who is also due to give birth soon, said : "He has told me that he has obviously been a really good boy today."

Club captain Andy Butler added: "It is a difficult time for the children to be in hospital. But to know we can cheer them up is really good and it's good to do something like this."

Angela Kelly, hospital play specialist, said: "The children will really appreciate today. For some who have been in for some time, it is really special for them."