Dagenham and Redbridge footballers brought some Christmas cheer to young hospital patients.

They visited wards at Queen’s Hospital, in Rom Valley Way, Romford, and King George Hospital, in Ilford, and on Monday and handed toys and signed posters to children.

Teddie Barrett, eight, from Romford, a patient on ACAD (acute children’s assessment department), at Queen’s, said: “It cheered me up and made me feel better while I waited for my appointment.”

John Still, manager of the Daggers, said: “We do it every year and it’s great that this time we were able to go over to King George Hospital too.

“It’s great to see the smiles on the children’s faces and know that we’ve brightened up their day.”