THE patients and staff at Swindon's Great Western Hospital got a special treat on Saturday, delivered by a convoy of motorbikes.

The men and women of Pinkertons Motorcycle Club made the journey to GWH from their Swindon Rugby Club base to deliver some early Christmas presents to the hospital's youngest patients.

The Pinkertons bikers have been making Christmas trips to GWH for the past 25 years to donate toys to the children’s unit.

Earlier this year, they donated hundreds of Easter eggs for the kids too.

As a festive treat for 2016 they are going one better by presenting a cheque for £3,415 to help transform the tired courtyard outside the children's ward into a bespoke play area.

The100-strong bike convoy arrived in spectacular style at the hospital just after midday on Saturday.

Led by Father Christmas himself, the bikers pulled into the car park in style ready to put a smile on the patients' faces.

Santa even took time-out from his Christmas Eve preparations, delivering a sleigh-load of presents to the children personally.

Pinkertons secretary, Mandy Strickland, said: “Each year, Pinkertons buys new games consoles, televisions and play equipment for the family rooms at the Great Western Hospital, plus every child gets a gift, personally delivered by Santa.

“For our 25th anniversary, we made a big effort to raise as much money as possible to buy something that will be a permanent fixture for young patients to enjoy.”

The money they’ve raised will go to the Space for Play Appeal, launched by Brighter Futures in September, which is on track to raise £84,000 by the end of 2016.

Set to open in the spring, the new play area will take on a seaside theme with a large play ship as its centrepiece. Seating, with a weatherproof shelter, will also be provided for parents, so they can sit back and relax while their children play.

All the equipment will be made of eco-friendly, long-lasting and non-toxic material.

Jennifer Green, Head of Fundraising for Brighter Futures, said: “Having an outside space where families can play, relax and spend time together is enormously important in retaining a sense of normality at what can be a difficult time in young people’s lives.

“The new play area is a continuation of the seaside theme we already have in the children’s unit. The equipment will appeal to the senses and be full of colour so that children with any illness will be able to enjoy playtime outdoors.”

To pledge your support to Space for Play, you can go to the Brighter Futures website at www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk/appeals/space-for-play-appeal/

You can also donate by text message – just text the word PLAY10 and the amount (either £5 or £10) to 70070.