POORLY children were left dreaming of a blue and white Christmas when Blackburn Rovers stars dropped in to spread a bit of festive cheer.

Sacks of toys were given out and the players signed autographs and chatted to sick youngsters in children's wards at Queen's Park Hospital and Blackburn Royal Infirmary. A bit of much-needed cheer was provided by striker Dwight Yorke for six-year-old Victoria Pollard, from Clayton-le-Moors, who was admitted to BRI yesterday morning with suspected appendicitis.

Mum Victoria said: "She's been feeling a bit miserable but I hope this has cheered her up." Fellow striker Andy Cole talked to three-year-old Paige Williams, admitted last week with pneumonia, by dropping off presents of a doll, jigsaw and chocolates. Mum April, of Darwen, said: "She's certainly perked up since they arrived."

Laura Eastham, 10, of Feniscowles, took time out from convalescing from her appendectomy to take on several of the players at Connect 4.

Seven-year-old Rovers season ticket holder Christopher Ginger, who was admitted last month after a simultaneous croup and asthma attack left him unable to breathe, was over the moon to grab a chat and pull a cracker with his hero David Thompson. Mum Stella Hibbins, of Mill Hill, said: "This means the absolute world to him."

Rovers midfielder David Thompson said all the players looked forward to spreading a bit of cheer. He said: "I'm very happy to do this. Sometimes it's heartbreaking seeing what the parents have to go through. You can't do much, I know, but it is very rewarding."

Blackburn Lions have donated £100 to each children's ward for on decorations and goodies and children at BRI presented the players with a huge thank you Christmas card.