CHILDREN spending time in Hereford County Hospital's children's ward will have even more to keep them entertained thanks to the PTA at Hereford Cathedral Junior School.

Cash raised at last summer's PTA ball has been spent on additional play equipment, including DVD televisions, handheld games consoles, games and DVDs.

"It's a well-known fact that children who are happy in hospital will get better quicker, and having lots for them to do plays a big part in that," said Sue Parish, the play co-ordinator.

"This is a 26-bed ward, which means that all these toys will be in constant use, 24 hours day. We're very pleased to have them."

The decision to channel funds towards the hospital was prompted in part by one parent whose son had spent time on the ward.

"I felt slightly guilty that he hogged one of the DVDs they had then, and it was clear they could do with more," says Karen Sayce. "And we all wanted to give something back to the hospital."