Sick children were given an Easter treat at Colchester General Hospital thanks to troops from the town.

East Anglian Daily Times: Captain Skip Hopper of the 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) handed over chocolate eggs and toys to Henry, four, and Jimmy Hylott, nine, at Colchester General HospitalCaptain Skip Hopper of the 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) handed over chocolate eggs and toys to Henry, four, and Jimmy Hylott, nine, at Colchester General Hospital

Major Dave Walker and Captain Paul Hopper, from 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery, based at Colchester Garrison, visited the Children’s Unit today with chocolate eggs as part of an annual tradition.

They were joined by Sheila Kirkham, whose late husband Ron used to play a key role in organising the egg collection.

Mr Kirkham, who was 75 when he died in 2010, served in the Royal Artillery for 25 years. Becci Wilde, welfare clerk with the regiment, said eggs and money to buy them were donated from the Royal Artillery Association and garrison families and others.

She said: “It’s our way of letting them know they haven’t been forgotten.

“It cannot be easy for children to be in hospital over the Easter period when their friends are enjoying the school holidays.

“This is our way of trying to cheer them up at what must be a difficult time for them and their families.”