YOUNGSTERS who will be spending this Christmas in hospital in York have been given a toys tonic, thanks to a city store.

Staff from the Evening Press advertising department joined panto star Martin Barrass and Michelle Roberts, marketing manager of York Theatre Royal, at the children's ward in York District Hospital to hand over presents of cuddly toys.

The toys were kindly donated by the W Boyes & Co department store, in Goodramgate.

Fiona Lawson, manager of the York branch, said: "We are a family firm and, obviously, we believe strongly in family values. To that extent, we feel sorry for families who are having to celebrate Christmas other than at home, and this is just our way of helping to spread a little happiness at this time of year."

Every year, the firm, which also has stores in Malton and Goole, makes sure that children stuck in hospital for the festive season get a dose of Christmas cheer in the form of soft toys. Scarborough-based buyer Carol Boyes organises the event each year.

Martin Barrass is currently appearing in Jack And The Beanstalk at York Theatre Royal, where he plays Willy Shufflebottom - the idiot son of panto dame Berwick Kaler's Fanny Shufflebottom.

Updated: 10:30 Monday, December 24, 2001