Two Crystal Palace footballers spread some Christmas cheer after visiting children at a hospital in Locksbottom.

Andros Townsend and Jason Puncheon left kids, and even one granddad, delighted when they arrived at the children’s ward of Princess Royal University Hospital.

Reece Garrard, 11, said: "It was great to see the players. I am a huge fan so I was really glad to see them while they were here."

The Palace stars delivered presents and posed for photos with the kids.

Life-long Palace fan Malcolm Beck, whose granddaughter is being treated at the hospital, was shocked when the Premier League stars contacted him on FaceTime.

His daughter, Jennie, said: "This is a real bragging opportunity for him. Speaking to the players would have made his year.

"He would have loved to have been here, but he doesn’t live locally anymore."

Malcolm’s nine-year-old granddaughter, Aoife, added: "I’m really glad granddad got to speak to the players. It made him really happy."

Townsend and Puncheon took time out of a busy schedule on Thursday (December 13) to spend time with the children ahead of their home match to Leicester City today.