Four Ipswich Town stars brought Christmas cheer to sick youngsters when they visited Colchester General Hospital’s children’s unit.

Goalkeepers Bartosz Bialkowski and Dean Gerken and midfielders Kevin Bru and Luke Hyam handed out presents to children, chatted with them and signed autographs.

It was part of the annual visit by Blues players to the ward around this time of year.

Presents were bought with the help of the Boots store in Tavern Street, Ipswich. Some were given to children on the unit at the time of the visit, as well as their siblings, while others will remain in the hospital for use all-year round.

Lynda Pearce, matron of children’s services, said: “I know from previous years how much the children, parents and staff look forward to our Christmas visit from Ipswich Town.

“We really appreciate it, and it gives us all a real lift and marks the start of the Christmas season.

“If they visit us again next year, we all hope they do so as a Premiership club.”

Town captain Luke Chambers added: “Visits to local hospitals and hospices have become a real Christmas tradition throughout football and one that my team-mates and I very much enjoy doing.”