ROVERS stars spread festive cheer to sick youngsters when they visited the children's wards at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and Queens Park Hospital.

Bags of goodies, including Rovers calendars, sweets, pens and keyrings were given out. And stars signed the calendars and chatted with patients and parents.

Some keen Rovers fans donned their Rovers shirts for the occasion.

Children's nurse at BRI Maxine Buckley said: "The players do this every year and the children look forward to them coming."

Matthew Davies, 12, from Clitheroe was in BRI because he had to have an operation on his ear. His mother Suzanne said: "He's been very excited about them coming."

Catherine Collinge, 14, of Great Harwood was thrilled to have her picture taken with Alan Mahon.

Adam Birtwistle, nine, who was being treated for a burst appendix, had spent all morning making a card in the shape of a football to give to the club.

Player Stig Inge Bjornebye said: "This is the second year I've done this, we like to contribute as much as we can especially around Christmas time for kids."

At Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn Rovers season ticket holder Chris Abbott returned so he could meet his footballing heros.

Hospital staff discharged 14-year-old Chris, of Rothesay Road, Blackburn, last week after he recovered from asthma problems but let him return for the afternoon.

But, even after meeting the players, the Darwen Vale High School pupil could not shake-off the weekend's disappointment.

"It was great to meet David Dunn, but I spent £24 on a ticket to the Newcastle match on Saturday, but we lost and were rubbish."