The Oxford Hospitals Charity team is preparing to bring some festive cheer to their hospitals in the county.

Christmas trees will be put up at four hospital sites, while gifts are being organised for patients staying hospitalised over the holiday period.

These sites are the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

There will also be the return of the "decorate your ward" competition for staff.

Funds raised through the Give a Gift appeal will ensure all patients in hospital over the festive period get treats, and that young patients and their siblings receive suitable presents, all handpicked by a team.

Adults and older patients will also be offered a gift bag, which will include a Christmas card from local school children, toiletries, a few festive goodies, and activities such as word searches and doodle sketchbooks.

The appeal also sponsors goodies for hospital staff rooms as a token of appreciation.

Businesses including Bouygues, Bicester Village, Bidwells and Airbus Helicopters have lent a hand in packing 1,500 gift bags ready for distribution in hospital wards.

Deputy sister in critical care, Sarah Walker, shared her experience of working during the festive season and dealing with her son's emergency surgery to become the face of the charity's postal appeal.

The efforts of Oxford Hospitals Charity and the local community aim to bring some holiday cheer to hospitals this Christmas.