SANTA swapped his sleigh for a motorbike when he popped in to see children at the Great Western Hospital.

He was accompanied by a 100 riders from Pinkertons Motorcycle Club who roared up to the hospital on Saturday with a police motorcycle escot.

One of the organisers of the visit, Mandy Evans said: “When you see the look on their faces when Santa comes in and gives them presents, that’s why we do it.”

Last year the group, celebrated its 25th anniversary and raised thousands extra to provide the Squid’s Grotto in the outdoor play area. This year they had spent in the region of £4,000 on toys and equipment for the ward and its young patients.

She added fund raising had already started for next year’s visit.

As a huge trolley packed with gifts was carefully divided up, senior play specialist at the unit, Claire Parks, said: “All the presents are just so lovely.”

She said staff sent the Pinkertons a list of toys and equipment they needed for the ward as well as suggestions for the patients. “Without these guys we wouldn’t be able to replace these things and if we didn’t have the bikers come to us every year we don’t know where we would get Christmas presents from.”

This year Santa’s sack included some new flat screen TVs and trolleys, DVDs and a computer keyboard to replace worn out gear. But for the children the most exciting thing was seeing Father Christmas. “All morning they’re excited. They’re looking out of the window to see Santa on his motorbike,” she said.

After a mince pie Santa was ready to go on his hospital rounds, delivering presents to children on the wards.

The first port of call was a chatty toddler who was presented with a Thomas the Tank Engine toy almost as big as he was.

In the next room was a 10-year-old girl who spent last Christmas at the hospital and was back in after undergoing a gastrostomy. She was delighted with the bag of toiletries Santa handed over. Her brother was just as pleased with his toy truck.

The gifts ranged from cuddly Minions, dollies and art sets to toy hair dressing kits, shopping sets and this year’s must have JoJo Bows.

Presents are also kept back for children who are in the hospital on Christmas Day. “It makes them realise someone is thinking of them on Christmas Day,” said Claire.