Pupils from Durrington High School visited the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home for ex-service men and women, in Boundary Road, just before Christmas, taking decorated hampers designed to look like houses, fireplaces and sleighs.

The hospital home, known as Gifford House, was also given a hamper by Durrington Tesco Express store manager Darren Golds.

The hampers, containing luxury items including mince pies, and chocolates, as well as tins of soup, baked beans and vegetables, have been distributed between the home's wards.

Home fund-raising manager Tina Ellis, said: "The Christmas puddings are being used for any resident who would like it instead of the pudding from the daily menu. This really is a treat for them.

"The tins of fruit have been used to make smoothies for the residents by the chef and have been going down very well."

The hampers also contained little presents such as gloves, hats and toiletries for home's present box for Christmas and birthday gifts.