BLACKBURN Rovers stars surprised youngsters on the children’s ward at Royal Blackburn Hospital as they played Santa.

The full first team squad spent an hour touring the ward and handing out festive treats to the sick and injured children. They were joined by manager Gary Bowyer and former defender and current first team coach Craig Short.

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As well as handing out goodies, the players signed autographs and Rovers shirts including one for seven-year-old Logan Prince.

The Accrington youngster, who was with his mum Joanne, said: “It was really nice to see them and it’s quite exciting. It’s nice for them to come and I have been a fan all my life.”

Nicola Duckworth from Wilpshire said: “My Emilia was overwhelmed to see the players and it put a smile on her face.

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“She is only three-years-old now but she knows about the club and I’m going to take her to games when she is old enough. We have a season ticket and I’m sure that she will be a fan.”

Striker Chris Brown said: “If we put a smile on just one little kid’s face then we have done a good thing. It’s really important for us as a squad to come here and take part in something like this and it’s all part of giving back to the community.

“Some of the guys are parents as well so they can understand what the parents are going through.

“It’s an enjoyable experience for us as a team and something that means a lot to all of us.”

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Manager Gary Bowyer said: “This is massively important to us and it’s part of us engaging with the community.

“It’s good to put smile on the faces of people who are stuck in a hospital over Christmas and try to make a bit of a difference.”