VINTAGE car enthusiasts have dropped off a bootload of gifts at a children's hospice.

John Morgan and his wife, Danuta, of Chepstow Road, Newport, pictured, are leading lights of the Jowett Car Club - recorded as the oldest vintage car club in the country.

The once celebrated name of Jowett has now passed into obscurity, but the Bradford-based company made cars from 1910 to 1954, racing at Monte Carlo and winning its class from 1950 to 1952 at the Le Mans 24-hour race.

Mr and Mrs Morgan, already own a Jowett Bradford van, and have just bought a Jowett Jupiter, the sports model that competed in rallies in the Fifties.

At a rally celebrating the 80th anniversary of the car club, held in Newport's Hilton Hotel last month, members were asked to contribute gifts for children at the Ty Hafan hospice in Sully, near Cardiff.

Mr and Mrs Morgan drove over yesterday to hand over presents ranging from colouring books to personal stereos.

Mrs Morgan said: "The presents we've collected will give the children a little happiness as they face traumatic times."

Rachel Power, campaigns officer at Ty Hafan, said: "I know the children will be really excited when the gifts come.

"They will be over the moon."