CELEBRITIES sent personal words of thanks to workers at Oxfordshire hospitals.

Famous faces, including Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc, and Claire Balding, all participated in a 'virtual concert' created by Oxfords Hospitals Charity to show their gratitude to the county's NHS staff this Christmas.

The concert is being shown on a half-an-hour video and also includes videos from local choirs and musicians.

Several local instrumentalists had links to the hospitals, including the Radcliffe Orchestra, the Oxford Man Choir, Oxfordshire medical student, and the Dragon School.

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The fundraising Christmas Concert is usually held at Dorchester Abbey, but due to the pandemic, that was not possible.

Lucy Budget from Oxford Hospitals Charity said: “After such a difficult year and with the usual staff gatherings and celebrations not possible, it felt important to do something special for hospital staff - to say thank you and bring teams together - albeit virtually – this Christmas.

“We were bowled over by the response."

Comedian and presenter Mel Giedroyc, TV presenter Claire Balding and actresses Pam St Clements and Gugu Mbatha-Raw all shared personal messages about how the hospitals had helped their families.