CHILDREN at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital will have a brighter Christmas this year thanks to generous donations from Chippenham residents.

More than 100 toys will be delivered by Denis Miller and Pete Knight after collecting them over several weeks at their local pub, the Audley Arms on Audley Road.

The duo will dress up as Santa Claus and an elf and deliver the presents on Christmas Eve at the Swindon hospital for children who won’t be able to spend the big day at home.

“We did it for Bristol hospital the last two years and we did Bath hospital for two years as well so we decided to do Swindon this year,” said Mr Miller, 67.

“Originally it was my idea, I thought I would see how it goes because children in hospital need stuff at Christmas.

“I have friends whose children have been in hospital and it’s quite difficult.

“It’s nice to see the joy on their faces, especially from some of them but we just like doing it.

“We’re hoping to do it again next year and we will probably do Swindon again next year for the second time.”