PATIENTS will benefit from football-branded furniture thanks to a club shop's donation.

Newcastle United's club store has donated items worth more than £12,000, including cabinets, desks, drawers, wardrobes and blanket boxes, to the Fleming Children's Trust.

As one of three charities the club has close links with, the trust will use the furniture in the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle General Hospital and the Freeman Hospital, all in Newcastle.

It will also donate items to St Oswald's Hospice, in Gosforth, which will shortly open a new children's unit.

The trust will sell and raffle the remaining items to raise funds for much-needed hospital equipment.

Alan Walton, treasurer of the trust, said: "This was a fantastic gesture by Newcastle United.

"We are thrilled to receive the furniture, which will benefit the trust enormously."

The furniture was handed over by Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy.