STAFF at a Winsford firm have collected chocolate oranges as a Christmas gift for staff at St Luke's Hospice.

Employees at Bralin Recruitment presented 122 boxes to them on Friday, Team Chocolate Orange day across the north west.

Dad Chris Lamb started the festive campaign after losing his four-year-old son who suffered from congenital cytomeglavirus.

Chris said: "Every year at Christmas time I collect thousands of chocolate oranges to donate to medical staff and children who have to spend the holiday in hospital in memory of my son Elliott.

"When Elliott was in hospital over Christmas 2008, I bought one of the physiotherapists a chocolate orange as a thank you gift.

"I never wanted to celebrate Christmas again when Elliott passed away just before Christmas in 2010, but then I decided to do something positive to cherish his memory.

"Elliott never gave up despite all that was thrown at him from the day he was born.

"He completely changed my life and made me focus on the important things, caring for others, kindness and being thankful for every day.

"I wanted to say thank you to those who care and for all the incredible work they do for our loved ones."

Thousands of chocolate oranges will be given to medical staff today.

Karen Blondel, business manager of Bralin Recruitment, on Road Two at Winsford Industrial Estate, said:"We want to thank the staff at St Luke's for all they do for us. They are the most incredibly devoted and caring people you could ever meet.

"We started this last year and managed to raise 100 oranges, this year we have done 122."