SPURS superstar Gareth Bale brightened up the faces of youngsters during a hospital visit last week.

The Tottenham Hotspur player was joined by teammate Jonathan Woodgate to hand out presents to children at Whipps Cross University Hospital, Leytonstone.

They also greeted staff, parents and other patients and posed for photographs.

Head of nursing Eileen Elms said: “The players spent genuine time talking to the children which really brightened up their day.

“We are extremely grateful to Spurs for arranging the visit and it has made such a difference.”

Mr Bale said: “It was a pleasure meeting the children and we enjoyed handing out the Christmas gifts.

“To be able to give something back to the community is a special feeling and it makes our day as much as it does theirs.”