Slade bells ringing: It's Christmaaaaas with Noddy Holder in Walsall!

Hundreds turned out to greet home grown Slade star Noddy as he switched on the Christmas lights at Walsall Manor Hospital.

The rocker returned to his roots and a rapturous welcome when health trust staff, patients and visitors at the event in the atrium at the main entrance of the site yesterday afternoon. There was plenty of laughter and live music with a choir and a band.

He performed the switch-on alongside unfazed five-year-old patient Jayden Webster, who was wheeled in his hospital bed, to take part in the ground floor festivities. He was presented with gifts by Noddy.

Noddy, aged 68, said: "It's really touching that people turned out. It's really nice to be invited to switch on the lights. It's great to be back in the Midlands because it's the only place where people understand what I say!

"lt's also brilliant to see so many faces that recognise from Beechdale where I grew up."

Jayden's mother Sarah Bedworth, 32, of Penderell Street, Bloxwich, explains that the Sunshine Infants School pupil was taken into hospital three weeks ago after breaking his leg. "This was a complete surprise. Jayden took it all very well and wasn't fazed at all. Noddy was really nice and asked him what his name was and told him he hoped he'd get better soon."

The star will be forever associated with Christmas because of Slade's hit Merry Xmas Everybody in 1973.

Noddy, an ex-pupil of the now demolished TP Riley Comprehensive School, was accompanied by Walsall mayor Pete Smith, mayoress Laura Barnes and hospital chief executive Richard Kirby.