STOKE City players brought Christmas cheer to children as they paid their annual visit to a hospital.

Premier League squad members visited the Cheethams ward at The University Hospital Of North Staffordshire yesterday and mingled with young patients.

Players took time to chat to the youngsters, sign club photographs and present them with selection boxes and Stoke City scarves.

Star winger Liam Lawrence said: "When I was a kid, something like this would have made my day. It's nice to put a smile on the children's faces at Christmas."

Defender Danny Higginbotham said: "I think this is a very important thing for the club to do. It really helps the children out."

Defender Leon Cort said: "I think the visit is brilliant for the kids. During the festive period, it brings everyone together.

"The kids really appreciate it and they remember. They've come up to us in the streets and said thank you for our visits in previous years."

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Video: Stoke City's stars spread festive cheer

A spokesman for The University Hospital Of North Staffordshire said: "It is a big boost for the children and the staff.

"The children vary in age from a few months to older children.

"Some of them are very ill and will be spending Christmas in hospital."

Kerry Davies, aged 31, of Acacia Gardens, Kidsgrove, said the visit had brightened her son Callum's day.

The six-year-old asthma sufferer, who goes to Thursfield Primary, in Harriseahead, was admitted to hospital a week ago with a collapsed lung.

Ms Davies said: "When they told Callum about the visit, he was so excited about it that he wouldn't eat his dinner."

Lynsey Curtis, aged 23, of Cyprus Grove, Chesterton, and her partner Simon said it had been "legendary" to meet the players.

Their son Declan, aged four months, has been in hospital with a muscle protein problem, and is likely to be spending Christmas there.

Ms Curtis said: "The players signed Declan's babygrow and spent a lot of time talking to us. It's really brightened our day. We'll keep it for him when he is older."

Leanne Downie, of Beresford Dale, Madeley, said she had enjoyed meeting the players.

The 17-year-old South Cheshire College student, who is being treated for Crohn's disease, said: "I've been in hospital since Friday. I'm hoping I will be out for Christmas as it was bad enough being in here for my birthday."

Deborah Baddeley of Langdale Road, Clayton, near Newcastle, said her daughter Louise was in hospital with pancreatitis which had began last year.

The 43-year-old said: "The visit has given her a real boost as Louise and her brother Matthew are big fans. Matthew has a season ticket."

Louise, aged 12, who goes to Clayton Hall Business And Language College, said: "My favourite player is Liam Lawrence and I sent my mum to get his autograph."

Jenny Sakaglia, aged 34, of Bromsberrow Way, Meir, said her son Michael, aged 11, had really enjoyed himself.

She said: "He has had an operation today and it has made him recover quicker. He really likes Stoke City and as soon as he heard the players were coming, he wanted to get dressed."

Michael, who goes to Painsley Catholic College in Cheadle, added: "I am feeling better than I was earlier. Ricardo Fuller is my favourite player."