A CAR dealer has provided a taste of Disney for three children's hospital wards with a donation of Jungle Book goodies.

Simon Bailes Limited, which has dealerships in Northallerton, Guisborough and Stockton, was provided with a range of Jungle Book 2 items for a recent family fun weekend.

The company decided to hold on to some of the merchandise and donate it to Darlington Memorial Hospital, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesborough, and the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, for the benefit of patients on the children's wards.

The hospitals were given life-size cut-outs of the Jungle Book characters, posters and stickers to decorate the wards.

The company's marketing manager, Bridget Charlton, said: "The Jungle Book 2 weekend was a huge success and attracted families from all over the region. When we saw how well the children reacted to the material it was an obvious decision to donate it to hospitals in the region.

"Spending time in hospital is a traumatic time for any child as I know from personal experience when my son spent time at Darlington Memorial Hospital when he was only 18 months old. Filling the ward with fun, colourful posters will instantly cheer up the patients and, as it is Disney, there is bound to be at least one character that everyone knows."

Sarah Morley, playleader at the Memorial, said: "The children really identify with the Jungle Book goodies. They have brightened up the wards and brought big smiles to some very brave faces. On behalf of everyone in the children's ward I would like to thank the staff at Simon Bailes for their generosity."