Wanderers stars delivered festive cheer to children in the Royal Bolton Hospital on Monday.

The first team squad were laden with presents as they visited the wards.

It was the best medicine of all for the youngsters whose faces lit up at the sight of their football heroes.

Young goalkeeper Alix Drinkwater, aged 12, from Horwich, made a beeline for Wanderers keepers Jussi Jasskelainen and Andy Walker.

"It was amazing to meet the players," said Alix, who was recovering from an emergency appendicitis operation.

"They were really nice and all signed my goalkeeping shirt. It was a great."

His dad Andy, aged 45, said: "The players' visit put a smile on all the kids' faces.

"It's not every day you get to meet your heroes and it clearly meant so much to the children, especially Alix who is Wanderers mad in fact, we both are."

Lisa Broad, aged 16, from Astley Bridge, was receiving treatment for diabetes and the players came in to wish her a merry Christmas. Her mum Sharon, said: "The players have a big role to play in the town because so many people think really highly of them.

"They are real role models. It made our day getting to meet them all. They've been signing autographs for everyone and nothing was too much trouble." Whites' captain Kevin Nolan said the annual hospital visit was something all the players looked forward to.

He said: "We were really keen to see the kids and give them a bit of support.

"It's a busy time for us at the moment with a hectic schedule, but it's nice to come and see them at Christmas which is a tough time to be in hospital."

First team coach and Liverpool legend Sammy Lee said: "It is important to come down and spend a bit of time with the kids and their families because it can make a real difference to them.

"It's great to see them smiling when they see you.

"The players think a lot of the hospital and it's a pleasure to spend a bit of time here to see what a fine job the doctors and nurses are doing."

Debbie Hogan, ward sister on G5, said: "The children seem to make a real recovery after seeing the players.

"They have been looking forward to it, as has everybody. The visit has given a real boost to everyone."