YOUNG hospital patients are to receive extra Christmas presents thanks to the generosity of leisure club staff and members.

During the past few months, the staff and members of Bannatyne's Health Club, in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton, have collected toys worth hundreds of pounds to donate to patients on the children's ward at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton.

Presents include a Dreamcast games console, which will be handed over to the ward, while other gifts, including dolls, board games and cuddly toys, will go to the youngsters.

Paul Annis, of the club, will today give the gifts to Debbie Harrison, play specialist on the ward.