THERE was ‘claus’ for excitement when knitters donated these yuletide-themed hats to the Royal Surrey County Hospital’s maternity unit to keep newborns warm and toasty this Christmas.

As well as helping to get everyone into the festive spirit, the Christmas hats also had a very important purpose being part of the Guildford hospital’s celebrated bobble hat care bundle.

Midwives created the initiative after discovering that full-term babies were being admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit as a result of becoming cold, despite a warm ward environment.

Four of Santa’s little helpers helped model the new hats, joined by Royal Surrey midwife, Sally Stainer, who instead of tucking into her turkey on Christmas Day helped to welcome new arrivals into the world.

Sally, who has worked at the Royal Surrey for 14 years, said: “I have worked on Christmas Day a number of times over the years and it is always a really lovely time.

“No matter how hard it is being away from your family, it is always really special to be here and there really is a fantastic atmosphere.”