The children and their parents were all given a special folder that provides a form of "diary" containing valuable information about their needs.

Senior play specialist, June Clark, said: "These diaries are very useful. Anyone in the health service meeting a youngster for the first time would very quickly be able to find out personal things such as how they like to sit, or how they need help with feeding, as well as relevant details about their medical condition."

One of the highlights of the day was the chance for visitors to see the new sensory garden built by staff from SmithKline Beecham.

The garden is planted with "touch and feel" plants that can easily be reached by children in wheelchairs. The garden is very accessible and has been planted directly outside the children's ward play room.

Mrs Clark said: "The garden is a real bonus and will be very well used this summer. The volunteers who came to create it really transformed the area in next to no time."