LITTLE Josh Smith was undergoing a vital CAT scan in hospital when thieves committed the wickedest crime of the festive season -- they stole his favourite toys.

Four-year-old Josh, from Bispham, suffers from epilepsy and was having a scan in Blackpool Victoria Hospital shortly before Christmas.

Mum Julie said Josh's treasured Buzz Lightyear figure and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Quasar sword disappeared from the ward, leaving the youngster devastated.

Julie said: "Josh has quite a lot of fits and a consultant at the hospital recomended that he had a CAT scan. He takes his two favourite toys everywhere so, after some short tests, he went for the scan leaving them in the After ward."

When Julie and Josh returned the bag containing the toys had disappeared. Despite checking with staff they had no other option than to leave without them.

"Josh was distraught, really upset," said Julie. "He would take his Buzz Lightyear everywhere and I often had to use it to make him go to bed -- he even wrote his name on the bottom like Andy did in the film Toy Story."

Things got worse when Julie realised the toy was irreplaceable, having been taken off the market after the hype surrounding the film died down.

Julie said: "I tried catalogues, toy shops, even the makers Ban Dai UK, but they all said the same -- no Buzz Lightyears!"

Then, after weeks of tears before bedtime, a good samaritan from a national newspaper came to the rescue.

In a moment of desperation Julie wrote to The News of the World's Captain Cash who claims to "help the needy and bash the greedy". He stepped in with a rare Buzz Lightyear giant alarm clock and a brand new Power Rangers sword.

"When they arrived Josh opened the package and went mad with excitement. It really put the smile back on his face and made his day," Julie enthused.

It was an all-round happy ending, too, because after the CAT scan Josh's medication was changed to soluble tablets to better control his seizures.

A spokesperson for the Victoria Hospital refused to comment on security measures but said: "We are delighted that little Josh has had his toys replaced."

Pictured is Josh and Julie with the new toys.