FATHER Christmas has gone digital.

Rather than try to squeeze down the chimneys at Oxford Children’s Hospital, yesterday he wished the children there an early Merry Christmas via video link.

The ho-ho-hook up was organised by elves from telecommunications company Cisco, who keep all the phones working and have a hotline to Santa’s grotto.

Among the youngsters to get face-time with Father Christmas was five-year-old Bailey-May Townsend from Berinsfield, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in May.

She not only got to Skype with Santa, she also spent the morning hanging out with some of his elves, playing games around the hospital and even getting an early Christmas present.

Her mum Natalie Townsend, who brought Bailey-May’s little brother Jenson to join in the fun, said: “She absolutely loved it.

“She and the elves had races on trikes in the play area, then she got a video call from Santa.

“They were talking about whether she was on the naughty or nice list, but luckily she was nice so she got a fairy sparkle mosaic kit.”

Ms Townsend also praised the staff at the hospital who she said had been ‘amazing’ at looking after her daughter.

The elves also visited three-year-old Tia Lofthouse, Ayden Linaker, also three, and dozens of other children around the hospital.

In total about 10 elves did the rounds, meeting young patients, handing out gifts and arranging video calls to the North Pole.

Although Cisco has run the Santa video calling service at other places where it provides phone services, this was the first year the elves had brought their mobile magic to Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital and the rest of the John Radcliffe Hospital complex in Headington, said it was delighted to be able to bring Christmas to the children.

Chief information and digital officer Peter Knight, who only started his job in August, said: “This is a great opportunity for the trust to use its advanced digital know-how to bring some Christmas joy to some of our youngest patients.”

Senior play specialist Christine Turner said the stunt helped to bring the Christmas spirit to the hospital.

She added: “This is a digital first for the Children’s Hospital and it should be really special for the children.

“Our Christmas decorations are up and everyone here is getting in the festive spirit.”