A host of first team players – including captain Jake Buxton, defender Alex-John Baptiste and midfielder Matt Hamshaw – will hand out gifts and goodies to children on the Robin Hood and Blandy wards, as well as sign autographs and pose for photographs.

Manager Billy Dearden, assistant boss Paul Holland and members of the club's Football in the Community team, which organises the annual festive visit, will join them.

The players themselves have bought many of the gifts, while others were donated by fans following an appeal in the club's match day programme and in Chad.

Stags' football in the community officer Mark Hemingray said: "We're delighted to once again bring along players and management staff to King's Mill's children's wards this Christmas.

"Seeing Billy, Paul and the players spend time with the children is one of the most rewarding parts of the year for us. It was a really kind gesture by the players to buy gifts out of their own pockets, and we're grateful to the fans who also contributed presents."

Sandra Thurlby, the hospital's children's services manager, said: "We're very grateful to the players and management for taking time out of their busy schedules to come and put a smile on the children's faces over the festive period.

"It's great for the children to meet their heroes and it gives them such a boost. The Stags' visit is definitely one of the highlights of our Christmas calendar."