Children on a hospital ward had a surprise when underwater adventure hero Captain Barnacles dropped in.

The Octonaut, star of the CBeebies show, visited youngsters on Kingfisher Ward at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester for cuddles and colouring.

Play coordinator at DCH Sally Bundchen said: “Thank you to Captain Barnacles for coming to visit the children here on the Kingfisher Ward.

“Not only has this made a lot of children’s wishes come true, it has also given them temporary relief from their surroundings and situation.”

Captain Barnacles took with him staff from Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park who handed out Octonaut hats and colouring sheets to the children.

Characters from the Octonauts are working with Sea Life to encourage children to learn more about the oceans and the creatures in them.

They can be visited at the park until September.

Marketing co-ordinator at the Sea Life Park Laura Culshaw, said “This was a special mission to visit children not well enough to visit the oark this summer.

“We hope meeting Captain Barnacles has made their stay in hospital just that little bit more bearable.”