A generous secret Santa has lifted spirits and boosted staff morale at the West Cumberland maternity unit.

More than two years of uncertainty about the future service in the area were forgotten just before Christmas when a man knocked on the labour ward door carrying two large sacks overflowing with 86 individually-wrapped gifts.

Midwife Laura Bell said: "We asked the man who they were from but he did not know. There was a note with the gifts saying they were from Santa and Mrs Claus and were given in appreciation of the work done on the ward and the compassion and support we give mothers and babies and their families."

She admitted that some of the presents were open before Christmas Day.

"Some of us were too excited to wait."

Opening the presents left staff quite overcome.

"This was not someone going into a shop an buying things. The gifts obviously came from different places. There was toiletries, chocolates, small bottles of Prosecco, gourmet biscuits and cheese - a huge selection.

"We were told the gifts were for all staff - doctors, nurses, aides, cleaners - everyone on the ward. If there was anything left over we were to give the gifts to people as we saw fit."

Laura said staff were genuinely moved by the gesture and would love to know who Santa and Mrs Claus really were.

"It has been a rough couple of years for us - not knowing what services will remain here or what we will be doing.

"That was all forgotten when we received these fantastic gifts. Everyone has been excited. We have been trying to guess who might have given them to us. It really has boosted morale on the ward."

As well as the gifts themselves, the gesture has made staff members feel appreciated and, in turn, they are more than appreciative of their secret Santa.

"This was an overwhelmingly generous gift to receive and created a great buzz and lift of spirits amongst our team, a massive thank you from all Maternity Staff to ‘Santa and Mrs Claus," she said.