A new in-hospital service was launched by Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain.

On September 20 Mrs Hussain, who is also a Starlight Ambassador, joined the national children's charity Starlight Children's Foundation at Watford General Hospital to help launch Captain Starlight, a new in-hospital service.

The service has been developed to improve the wellbeing of hospitalised children and their siblings through entertainment, play and distraction.

Mrs Hussain said: "As a child I spent a lot of time in hospital because my brother and sister were unwell. I have experienced first hand how boring, and at times scary, growing up in a hospital can be.

"The in-hospital services that Starlight provides are game changers for sick children and their families. The Captain Starlight programme will help hospitalised children, young people and their families by distracting them from their illness and pain by using entertainment and engagement."

Captain Starlights are professional performers who use comedy, acting, art and music to capture a sick child's imagination and help them through their treatment.

The Captain Starlight programme has been operating in Australia for more than 20 years. Three Australian Captain Starlights have come to the UK to launch a pilot of the programme in 48 hospitals and hospices.

At the launch Mrs Hussain and the Captain Starlights met the children on Starfish ward, played games and sung songs with them.

Neil Swan, CEO, Starlight, said: "We are very excited to be launching this new in-hospital service in our 30th year.

"Captain Starlight will enhance Starlight’s already extensive hospital programme and help more children than ever forget that they are unwell during hospital and hospice stays."