MORE than 150 kind-hearted bikers made a special delivery of toys and gifts to seriously ill children in time for Christmas.

Members of the Rivington Barn Bikers travelled in convoy to deliver a sleigh-load of presents from their base to Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley.

Both motorcyclists and their bikes donned festive dress and flooded onto the hospice's driveway and were greeted by delighted children from the front steps.

The kind gesture started off several years ago in memory of biker Craig Hayward's son, James, from Bolton, who was cared for at Derian House before he died on Boxing Day in 2005, aged seven.

Once the bikers arrived they formed a chain gang and passed presents down the length of the car park and into the hospice building.

Speaking after the event, Mr Hayward said: "We started this three years ago with 30 bikers and it's just got bigger and better every year since.

"It's overwhelming to see how everyone pulls together and I want to thank each and every person who came out today.

"This means more to me than just about anything.

"Derian House will always have a place in my heart.

"My lad came here and a few of my lad's friends came here too.

"It's a fantastic place that helps relieve the stress for parents and I hope by doing this I can do that too.

"I just wanted to give something back and put a smile on the kids' faces."

Derian House Children's Hospice provides respite and end-of-life chare for children and young people with life-limiting conditions across the region.

Caroline Taylor, communications and marketing manager at Derian House Children's Hospice, said: "We were absolutely overwhelmed by this generous gesture from the Rivington Barn Bikers.

"The children staying at the hospice were so excited to see them – it was joyous to watch their faces as the bikes pulled into the driveway.

"We will make good use of the gifts donated, making sure that each of the 450 children and young people we care for, and many of their siblings too, get a special present this year.

"On behalf of everyone at Derian House we'd like to say a huge thank you to Craig and his fellow bikers."