A FORMER milkman brought some festive joy to young cancer sufferers.

Jimmy Gustard, of Urpeth Grange, who himself suffers from an inoperable brain tumour, has been a regular patient in recent years at Newcastle General Hospital.

Despite his own problems, he appealed to Advertiser readers to donate toys for patients at the Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment for Children (NCCT), at the hospital. He was soon able to fill more than two cars.

"I'm quite well known from my time as a milkman around Chester-le-Street and I've been touched by people's generosity.

"It seems to strike a chord particularly with people affected by such things themselves and I've had such a good response," said Jimmy.