There were wide grins and the odd smudge of chocolate on young faces at Oxford Children’s Hospital (Chox) yesterday.

Patients and even some lucky visiting siblings were treated to a surprise delivery of Easter eggs.

More than 60 eggs were dished out on the wards at the site at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Among the recipients was five-year-old Mikayla Beanes from Wantage.

The youngster, who has received treatment for cancer at Chox for about two years, plumped for a Hello Kitty egg.

She said: “I didn’t know we were getting eggs. I really like chocolate.”

Her mum Natasha said: “It’s a surprise and great to see a smile on all their faces.

“The Children’s Hospital is fantastic, they’ve done so much for us over the last two years, so donations like this always help.”

Forth Medical, whose staff have donated Easter eggs to hospitals since 2008, supplied yesterday’s eggs with the help of Abingdon-based Swift Couriers.

Jasper Lowe, five, who has haemophilia, picked an egg featuring characters from Disney’s Cars film.

His dad John said: “He loves it here, he sometimes doesn’t want to leave. He’s doing his best Wallace and Gromit smile today.”

Five-year-old Harvey Nelson, who is undergoing chemotherapy, was enjoying his day. He said: “I picked a Mario egg because I like playing on the Wii.

“We also had Simon the balloon modeller here today and he was so funny.”

Penny Hambridge, Chox’s children’s development officer, said: “It’s fantastic to see the pleasure on the children’s faces. I can’t thank the companies enough for what they do.”

Senior play specialist Christine Turner said: “We are very thankful for every donation to us, and we have other donations over Easter.

“We’re a large children’s hospital and it means we can give eggs to all children here over Easter, and their brothers and sisters.

“Over the Easter period we will be giving out a lot of chocolate and bringing a lot of smiles to their faces.”