Young carol singers brought a surprise package of Christmas cheer to patients at North Walsham hospital at the weekend.

Members of the Broadland Youth Choir toured the wards at the town’s War Memorial Hospital, singing festive songs to appreciative patients and their visiting families.

It is a treat provided by the hospital Friends group, which uses public donations to buy “extras” to improve the lives of patients, staff and visitors.

Friends chairman Keith Jarvis said: “We get really positive feedback about our annual carols visit. Patients really enjoy it, and are sometimes moved to tears, particularly because the carols are sung by children.”

Hannah Royal musical director of the 25-strong Salhouse-based choir said: “We are doing eight performances over Christmas ranging from a major church carol service to singing outside a supermarket – but the children say the hospital is their favourite because everyone smiles and we get lots of ‘thank you’ messages from families.”