Young heart patients were treated to a special party to mark Valentine's Day.

The youngsters who use the cardiology ward at Bristol Children's Hospital made hats and heart decorations especially and were treated to cake.

It was also International Congenital Heart Day and a support group used the occasion to mark the day.

The South West Children's Heart Circle was founded in the 1970s to help families. It has also raised funds for vital equipment and this week handed over £30,000.

The money will go towards a machine to measure how well a child's heart and lungs send oxygen to the muscles during exercise.

South West Children's Heart Circle has also launched a new website offering support for families in the region affected by cardiology conditions.

One in every 133 babies in the UK is born with a heart condition with a further 1,000 developing a serious heart problem after birth.

Dr Rob Martin, consultant cardiologist and president of the circle, said: "Valentine's Day is an occasion already associated with hearts and so we wanted to take this opportunity to run an event that helps both the children and their parents."