Some of the Southend United first team visited Southend Hospital on Thursday to spread some Christmas cheer.

Blues quartet Adam Barrett, Peter Clarke, Jean-Francois Christophe and Francis Laurent were on hand to pass out gifts to the sick children currently receiving treatment on the Children's Ward.

United's players handed out Southend United teddy bears to the youngsters, many of whom will spend Christmas in hospital, as well as spending time chatting to their families.

Southend skipper Adam Barrett said: "When you see some of the children who are terminally ill it makes you appreciate how fortunate we are.

"It puts things into perspective and it's nice to put a smile on all the kids' faces."